Polly informed me on our first walk, we don’t go out walking together, the dogs and I do but it’s a small wood and if I time it right can usually bump into her once or twice a fortnight. She let me know that she had a brew of normal cider on tap so after processing a few insect pictures I went on a wander to her farm and stocked up. The last lot was made with wild yeast and nearly blew my head and arse off. I’m too old for cider that ought to be reserved for the military. No one could fight or kill after two pints of wild yeast cider. Glaswegians being the exception but they don’t count as they will fight their own shadows and win.
I was sitting enjoying the first half pint when a little beast landed on my arm. It was a Coccinellida. I like Latin after a glass of cider, hated it at school but then they didn’t give us cider with it. I love little beasts so picked a butter cup and popped it on the flower to have it’s picture taken.
I didn’t like these with it covered in pollen so I placed it in a little tub and used the lens blower to try and clean it up. Then it wouldn’t get off my finger so thought sod it. I was sick of chasing it round petals. Trying to breath normally, holding a buttercup with a ladybird in my left hand and three or more kilogrammes of camera lens and strobes in my right. It’s not easy isn’t this snapping malarkey.
I am not a big lover of ladybirds but this one I got to like. It kept taking off flying around a one foot radius and popping back. Why can’t Noon Flies with their wonderful eyes do that? It’s a Ten Spot Ladybird. I know it looks as if it only has eight but it has two small spots on the end of it’s wing cases. It also has several small ones on it’s head and the bit behind that, I’m not an ignoramus it’s their pronotum, I hope. I am not going to start arguing or the proper buggers will rename it and confuse me further. This is the melanic form Adalia decempustulata. Mr Brague who occasionally pops by to correct my abusage of English says foreign words should be in Itallics. He is usually right. He is a bit of a right winger so I’ll leave you with this………….GOP/Donald Trump. Tiene que ser una broma..
Have fun.
I used to like ladybugs until one actually bit me last year. Not so casual with them anymore. Amazing shots, Adrian.
ReplyDeleteYes Bill they do nip me now and again but so do many of the beetles. It amazes me that something this tiny can draw blood. They are usually aggressive in the autumn or if they swarm in the summer.
DeleteYou have a variety of poses with this little critter to make things interesting. I wonder how the critter likes cider?
ReplyDeleteRed, I couldn't stop it running about. Perhpas a drop of cider would have helped.
DeleteLucky you - this bug landed right on you and then posed for photos!
ReplyDeleteYes Linda, it was very obliging.
DeleteMust be good stuff, that cider...only a few sips and you've already got spots before your eyes?...[;o)
ReplyDeleteTrevor it is excellent stuff. Even the camera can see spots and I didn't give it a drink.
DeleteHi Adrian I never knew Ladybirds could bite I certainly never have been bitten. Well Cider taken in the day time goes straight into your blood stream and makes you more tipsy than if you took the sameamount later on! Watsh out! I loke the last image.
DeleteMargaret they can and it is quite painful. Cider is fine in reasonable quantities. I rarely drink more than a gallon at a sitting.
DeleteAh, cider...my first experience of a hangover happened after drinking Merrydown cider as a teenager. Happy days.
ReplyDeleteFrances, it is dangerous stuff.
DeleteI've never been nipped by a ladybird but the idea of Trump being a joke is too flippant. The idea that he might buy the presidency is far from funny.
ReplyDeleteGraham, I have never understood how Americans can even consider an idiot to lead them but it happens on a regular basis.
DeleteNext time you snap insects on your fingernails could you please apply some nail varnish beforehand? I feel a deep, ruby red would suit you best or maybe crimson. Why not nip into a department store in Dundee and have a chat with the girls on the cosmetics counter?
ReplyDeleteYP, I'll have a look in Perth on Monday. I could have done with something to slow it down.
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