wildlife

[Leucogenes]

hihihi 

Here is another tiny creature that I was able to keep up with in terms of speed...😉

[Gerdk]

It seems bees became crazy about the pollen of Paeonia officinalis!

Gerd

[Gail]

Lovely picture Gerd. I think the single peonies are brilliant bee plants. I had a P. delavayi (lutea) in my last garden that was always full of bumbles.

[Gerdk]

Thank you Gail! Love your photo . My Paeonia lutea is flowering also just now.

Gerd

[ian mcdonald]

I was sat down the garden watching the birds going about their business when I noticed a beetle making its way across the lawn. I saw that it was a lily beetle, going in the direction of the few lilies that are in the border. I re-located it into dense vegetation away from the lilies. In the greenhouse I noticed a Brimstone butterfly so I let it loose outside. A few tiny speedwell are growing in the back lawn. They are Thyme- Leaved Speedwell, V. serpyllifolia.

[Yann]

As i prefer being in the fields than confined in the greenhouse here're some shots took in the neighborhood

[Yann]

i'm lucky to live in an unspoiled nature area however the town isn't far away.

[ian mcdonald]

Good pictures, Yann. We are unsure what we are allowed to do at the moment.

[Yann]

indeed, walking in nature is safe i don't see many risks except crossing few peoples in the paths.
This morning i took risk talking with a town hall agent who didn't respect distances, even i reminded her.
Travels far away are still forbiden as everywhere in europe so planes and trains aren't a danger.
Life itself is an everyday adventure so not taking risks is impossible, we must go on whatever is happening.

I hope most of you are now allowed to hike a bit in their respective counties or regions?

[Tristan_He]

I was sat down the garden watching the birds going about their business when I noticed a beetle making its way across the lawn. I saw that it was a lily beetle, going in the direction of the few lilies that are in the border. I re-located it into dense vegetation away from the lilies. In the greenhouse I noticed a Brimstone butterfly so I let it loose outside. A few tiny speedwell are growing in the back lawn. They are Thyme- Leaved Speedwell, V. serpyllifolia.

Hi Ian, that's not a lily beetle - these are brighter red, a bit broader and have a black head. I think this is a species of cardinal beetle.

Nice brimstone - I've planted some alder buckthorn in the hope of attracting some but no joy yet. They are uncommon in this part of the country.

Best, Tristan

[Yann]

With the drought many flowers didn't bloom so well, definitely 2020 is a year to forgive.
Between january and now rain's deficit is -70% with 173mm cumulated. (vs february 221mm in Edimburg  ).

Here're some survivors

[Tristan_He]

This looks like being a good butterfly year, and with the lockdown we have really been able to appreciate the green hairstreaks which seem to be doing well. They seem to particularly like our Viburnum 'Mariesii'.



Orange-tips are still flying, though getting a bit faded now.



A recently emerged female broad-bodied chaser (Libellula depressa).

[Maggi Young]

This looks like being a good butterfly year, and with the lockdown we have really been able to appreciate the green hairstreaks which seem to be doing well. They seem to particularly like our Viburnum 'Mariesii'.

Such an odd colour - looks  like  some  sort  of  odd  paint  shade! ( the butterfly, not the  plant!)

[Yann]

new plants seen last week-end

[Yann]

Cirsium eriophorum is rare in my region