It was a beautiful start to the day. I walked to a different bit of woodland as I could hear a cuckoo, the first this year. When I got to where it was calling it stopped and started calling from where we had come from.
It’s a pleasure to wander out on a cool sunny morning.
I must have wandered past this weather vane a dozen times but never noticed it until today.
It was time for breakfast, in fact well passed time I was starving. As we approached the farm I noticed this little beauty and popped it in a box. It didn’t look in the prime of life but they are very attractive.
Spotted Cranefly. Nephrotoma appendiculata. I didn’t bother further with it as it was a pretty scruffy specimen. I’ll look for a younger one. Preferably one with a bit of life in it.
Before lunch I had a root about in the hedge bottom and found this little bug.
I think this is a Tarnished Plant Bug. Lygus sp. I don’t know which one of the many. I don’t know where the water came from. I persuaded it onto a buttercup as the dead bracken it was on wasn’t showing it very well. I’ll try and find a dry one.
This is a little beauty but I don’t know what it is. it was wandering along on a nettle leaf but was very fast so I brought it back to the van and put it on a stone in a plate full of water. It limited it’s range to about a square inch. It’s amazing how difficult they are to find in that small area.
Thanks TREVOR: It is a sheet web spider...Neriene peltata....common name Platform hammock-spider.
Enjoy what is left of the weekend. I’ll see what I can find tomorrow. The wasps are getting very aggressive for the time of year I’ll have to be careful.
I like #123 Nice land to walk. Beautifully taken. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI liked the reflection of # 3. In the puddle. The fence. I love reflections.
Carolann, a very pleasant place for a wander.
DeleteYou are turning into a real buggologist Adrian. I can hear the excitement in your voice. Great countryside. You must be getting itchy feet ready to move on again?
ReplyDeleteCarol, I'll be here for a while.
DeleteI have always been a bugger.
Nice day for a troll around Adrian. Your buglife is getting better, every day.
ReplyDeleteA grand day Bob. I'm getting a system for coping with the little creatures.
DeleteThat's a good weather vane in your post. I too have heard the Cuckoo for the 1st time this year, getting less and less over the years.
ReplyDeletepeter
Peter, strange I haven't noticed it before. The cuckoo is certainly getting rarer.
Deletebeautiful countryside...loved the closeup of the vane. Cheers. Hugs to the pups
ReplyDeleteR.Mac, good things all round today.
DeleteLooks like the farmer on the weather vane is getting ready to clear up some dog crap - either that or he's going to stick his fork through the mutt.
ReplyDeleteYP, it does look like a muck fork. Probably is as it's on the roof of a Highland Pony stables.
DeleteA grand day all round, beautiful wide views of the countryside and lots of minibeasts.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I could do with finding some larger insects. Not to worry the small ones still look good.
DeleteYou have a beautiful rural area to wander through. You are certainly devious and can find ways to control the little specimens you find.
ReplyDeleteRed, I am starting to add to the insect sets. Trouble is the more vegetation makes them harder to find.
DeleteHI Adrain Love the countryside you are in at present.Looks like Ireland! Love the weather vane and you are obsessed with these bugs but great shots of them. Have a g
ReplyDeleteMargaret, everyone should have an interest.
DeleteAlways difficult to get a good photo of a Cranefly Adrian...it's all those legs!
ReplyDeleteSpot on with the Plant Bug ID (you're getting good at it now!)
I think the spider is a sheet web spider...Neriene peltata....common name Platform hammock-spider.
Good hunting....[;o)
PS. I WILL get around to answering your email!
Trevor, yes thanks for the spider ID. I'll have to go out in the dark and see if I can find some larger ones. I'll no doubt find some big spiders and lose the bloody dogs.
DeleteSadly the Cuckoo is much like the Jay and very warm. Never easy to get close. It's interesting to see the subtle changes as the weather improves on the wooded areas.
ReplyDeleteDouglas the hawthorne has most of it's leaves now and the blossom won't be long. I have only ever seen two cuckoos. Heard dozens but it was a good morning for a walk.
DeleteLovely countryside where you are now. Good bugging, too, obviously. I'd like that weather-vane although I don't need one today to tell me it's blowing a gale.
ReplyDeletePauline, I'd like to find some big insects but these are interesting enough.
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