Yesterday 17/6/10. i went to Strumpshaw Fen i needed to blow the cobwebs away, the sun as shining brightly with a lovely blue sky & a few fluffy clouds, but there was a strong chilly breeze blowing, that certainly cleared the cobwebs.
i started off walking through the woods the sun was shafting through the trees(you know me & my trees) it was heaven, lots of birds singing, wrens, robins,blue, great & coal tits, thrushes, blackbirds & chiffchaffs, lots of insects about as well.
I then walked to the meadow trail ( its only open from end of may to early sept, ) it was full of beautiful wild flowers such as spotted & marsh orchids, red & white clover, buttercups, ox eyed daisy, ragged robin, yarrow, yellow rattle, trefoils, speedwell & lots more. in the hedgerow is guelder-rose, dog roses & honey suckle. there are little streams along the edge with flag iris & water lilies, there were lots of damsel & dragonflies along the waters edge.
I saw marsh harriers hunting for food, lots of swifts skimming over the reedbeds, lots of warblers, bearded tits, blackcaps, the whole place was alive & buzzing!!!!!!!!!!!
The absolute, most amazing find of the day was a SWALLOW TAIL BUTTERFLY , there were not too many about as it was windy, i ended up following this one halfway across the meadow, it settled on the grass & obliged by opening its wings so i could photo it in all its glory, i went home with the biggest grin on my face, one happy bunny . a great day out : )
thank-you Pipit you know me & my trees, it was such a beautiful day, the peace, the sun & every thing was right in the world . here are some more :-
Just heaven!!
And even a little seat tucked away too. Just big enough for you, me and Eilid to sit together in peace and contentment.
Pipit xxx
Hi sugar
What an idyllic sounding scene, and such good photos! Well done you. :-))
A swallowtail butterfly. I've just been catching up on some Springwatch episodes and saw these in Norfolk. I've never seen one in real life. I'm quite green with envy! Brilliant!
Thanks for sharing these with us.
Best wishes Chris
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Wow! More stunning shots Sugar. Brilliant. What a dreamy place, and it's almost midsummer, so a Midsummer Night's Dream sounds appropriate!
Cheers, Linda.
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thanks Chris glad you like the pics, it is a lovely spot.
Pipit, that sounds a great idea, the 3 of us just chilling & chatting taking in the scenery ,
i have to confess one of the pics was taken elsewhere, but it was so nice i had to share it, this is what it looked like a few weeks ago,
Susan H said: Wow! More stunning shots Sugar. Brilliant. What a dreamy place, and it's almost midsummer, so a Midsummer Night's Dream sounds appropriate!
Would you like to come and sit with us too, lovely Sparrow?
Pip xx
June is the peak time for swallowtails and Strumpshaw Fen is one of the best places to go and see them in the UK. I'm sure Jenny and co will give you a very warm welcome if you go and say hi!
As well as swallowtails, it's a fab place for water voles, orchids, dragonflies and other insects too. There's a bittern 'booming', marsh harriers hunting and spotted flycatchers building a nest.
I can't wait to go again!
Hi Sugar,
Lovely photos, Strumpshaw Fen sounds and looks idyllic, thanks for the photos. I also have to say I've never seen a swallowtail before - beautiful. :-)
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
I've just looked up Strumpshaw Fen and it's a 5 hour drive from where I live - cross country too!
However, I have a friend who lives in Bury St Edmunds so I'm booking her spare room now for next June and I'm going to visit SF then.
I know there are so many other wonderful reserves too but this one has really caught my imagination.
So, it's added to the list of places to visit. Mull is still way up there too.
Thanks
Pipit x
Sugar, a beautiful day illustrated by your lovely photographs. I don't think I have seen a swallowtail since I was a child. Thank you.