I have had a quiet morning. I found a beetle but it wasn’t very big and it insisted on lying on it’s back even when I had given it half an hour to warm up after a very cool, damp night.
I suspect this is Pterostichus madidus. I thought at first it was a Click beetle but if they end up on their backs they jump in the air. I don’t know what it has stuck on it’s foot; just a bit of soil I think. It doesn’t look very well, though it was waving it’s legs and antenna around and snapping it’s jaws. I have put it back under the log.
I suspect this is a mutant Sparrow. The one on the right, the one on the left is a normal one.
Here it is again, whatever it is it’s very pretty.
Enjoy your week.
I think it's a kind of miniature owl with a mutant beak
ReplyDeleteAs for the beetle, it was moribund, wasn't it? That waving legs thing says it all.
Frances, an owlet it can be.
DeleteI suspect the beetle wasn't feeling on top form.
she IS very cute
ReplyDeleteDifferent anyway.
DeleteFascinating looking lecustic/semi lecustic Sparrow. The BTO are asking for people to send in images and info on such sightings. I'd like to think the beetle was enjoying itself :-)
ReplyDeleteDouglas, I've sent it's picture to the BTO.
DeleteI don't think the beetle was happy.
Are you quite sure it's dead. Anyway, the macro works very well.
ReplyDeleteBob, no it was alive. It wouldn't stand up though.
DeleteAdrian, are you sure the beetle hasn't been enjoying too much of the insect equivalent of that Scottish falling down water...the symptoms look very similar?
ReplyDeleteInteresting Sparrow, well spotted...[;o)
Trevor. I used the MP-E65mm as it was so small. I can't actually switch the strobe tubes right off but can make one an eighth of the duration of the other. It will be interesting to see what results you get. These shut right down at f16 and at 4X I can't get to 5X yet.
DeleteIt is a rare little bird. I saw it yesterday in the rain and after half an hour this morning managed to get it twig free. Better than anything at Slumbridge.
It looks like a click beetle and maybe they can't flick back on to their feet when they aren't feeling well. The little sparrow is very pretty but it must be at great risk with colouring like that.
ReplyDeletePauline, it has ridges on it's wing cases so I don't think it is a Click beetle. The sparrow has survived the winter so I hope it manages the summer. It is beautiful.
DeleteYou may like to read:
ReplyDeletehttp://gardenwalkgardentalk.com/2013/02/14/rare-white-bird-sighting-leucism-in-sparrows/
Something I'd never heard of until you found one.
John, thanks for the link. I sent it's picture to BTO. I have never seen one but have seen blackbirds that are albino and crows with a white feather or two.
DeleteWonderful photography on your beetle. I've said many times that I like macro photography. Your beetle is certainly a homely fellow, but then if you looked at me very closely I may be quite homely too.
ReplyDeleteRed, I don't know what was the matter with it. They usually run about all over whilst I try to get them in focus.
DeleteI think it is a teenage mutant ninja sparrow! Fascinating beetle pictures.
ReplyDeleteYP, you could be right but the BTO call them Leviticus Sparrows or something like that.
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