Well howdy-doody folks, I see you've come back for another dose of your favourite medicine, you mad fools!
This time you will definitely need a cushion, something to drink (possibly snacks too if you're of a peckish nature) and a selection of reference books and/or access to the internet, because I don't know half of what I've taken pictures of
I saw Hazel (Noisette)'s posting in the butterfly thread this morning and it reminded me I was disappointed with the number I didn't see yesterday, and so she inspired me to have another go at an insect hunt. So off I went to …… the river (obviously!!). Allow me to explain my reasoning. It was a tad foggy, so I thought a trip to the river for an hour or so would allow the fog to burn off, and the insects to burst from their overnight accommodation, full of vim and vigour. Also, my Mum had had a delivery from the supermarket including Mrs PB's favourite tipple Tanqueray pink grapefruit, gin in a tin.... and I know which side my bread is buttered. Anyhow, to the river...
First up, Little Egret incoming
Landing, graceful as a ballerina
Looook, light as a feather, barely a ripple
Along the bank the demoiselles were out
It had turned out beautifully clear, and the river was moving quite sedately, so there were reflections galore
Now a series of bee's and stuff, so reference materials at the ready....
1
2
3
This could be another banded demoiselle, but since Nige introduced the idea of "variable damselflies" I'm no longer playing guess the species lol
Not sure what the pink is on the leg, pollen sac? parasite/infection?
4
5
And ready for a big Cygnet awwwwwwww….. I think there may be 9!! (They successfully raised full brood of eight last year) ….
So I'd wandered the length of my old bit of river, and had seen a glimpse of the kingie, but I was too slow for a picture, so I returned homewards, ready for the insect part of the trip... at Hod Hill, which is the hill next to Hambledon Hill from yesterday (both National Trust) and is apparently the biggest hill fort in Dorset. It was certainly steep!!
A brown damsel of some sort
A Butterfly, about half the size of a speckled wood
6
There was a bright green grasshopper/crickety thing
7
It took forever trying to get that one in focus, so I took the big lens off, and went 70-300...much easier
A brown grasshopper/crickety thing
8
An Orange-Bum-Bee
9
A lime green and black grasshopper/crickety thing
10
Another brown damsel
A butterfly....
11
Gawd, I hope it gets better than this...I can see them.... flitter, flutter, flitter flutter...LAND for goodness sake!!!
A shiny beetle
12
A series now, featuring the long awaited arrival, of Mr and Mrs Blue Butterfly!!!
13
14
Yesss, I know she doesn't look blue.... but I'm sure I read somewhere the female is brown....not very confusing at all
15
16
17
A different make of butterfly now
18
The light was bright and therefore deceptive, but this was either very pale blue, or white..
Possibly a Small Heath, or may be not...
19
And a right old raggedy one to finish
20
Thanks once again for persisting through the drivel, and thanks to Hazel for the inspiration to do bugs n stuff (got to admit the time flew by peering into the grass and looking for any movements lol) and thanks in advance, because I'm sure there will be a full list of ID's by the morning from my more learned forumites
Stay Safe All
7 is a Great green bush cricket ... www.wildlifetrusts.org/.../great-green-bush-cricket
8 possibly this one but not sure ... www.wildlifetrusts.org/.../dark-bush-cricket
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Brilliant photos PB, and nice to see the little egret keep the tutu clean!
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Thanks Nige, I knew I could rely on you....
Unknown said:Swollen-thighed Beetle
???? Is that like a Variable Damselfly?? lol
Unknown said:colour isn't much help for ID of grasshoppers
Then how are we supposed to ID them?? This is just silly now lol
And I also notice you also avoided the pale blue (or white, depending on the light) damsel lol
Thanks Wendy My Mum guessed at Great Green Grasshopper, but I'm going with you with the cricket
PimperneBloke said:And I also notice you also avoided the pale blue (or white, depending on the light) damsel lol
That Variable has really got to you hasn't it? It's a Common Blue
PimperneBloke said:Then how are we supposed to ID them?? This is just silly now lol
It's all a conspiracy, you know, just to confuse everyone!! First thing to look at is the shape of the bit behind the head.
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Nige Flickr
Unknown said:That Variable has really got to you
Yes, yes it has... there were three constants in life, death, taxes and blue damsel fly recognition....now you've blown that right out of the water, and I totally blame you....ignorance WAS bliss in my case. In fact, in my case I was the most blissful man on the planet
Unknown said: Common Blue
It can't be....it's WHITE!!!! lol
Unknown said:shape of the bit behind the head
I'm lucky to even SEE the head!!!!!
It's nearly time for the big boys to emerge, Darters, Skimmers, Chasers,Hawkers and Emperors which you may find easier. I recommend this field guide. Dave Smallshire is a top dragonfly expert. I went on a field trip with him to the Camargue. The heat (40+) nearly killed me but he didn't seem to notice such was his enthusiasm. When birding gets quiet in mid summer studying these fascinating creatures takes over. You can easily get hooked.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
PimperneBloke said:It can't be....it's WHITE!!!!
Damsels are named after the adult male (I'll let you dig whatever hole you want for yourself there ). Common Blues can be white, purple, blue and green depending on age and gender. Don't like to make things too simple for you!!
PimperneBloke said:I'm lucky to even SEE the head!!!!!
It often takes two photos to ID a grasshopper. One from the top (for the bit behind the head) and one from the side.
Unknown said:It's nearly time for the big boys to emerge, Darters, Skimmers, Chasers,Hawkers and Emperors
Got my first one a few days ago: a 4-spot chaser. No photo though and it's still the only one I've seen so far.
Lot to learn