ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Thursday 17 October 2013

IS THIS IT. (17/10/13)

I was supposed to be taking lots of pictures of vintage cars today but that has been put back until next year.  It has been a grand day, hardly any wind and temperatures in the high teens. I’ve had Bertha out looking for Buzzards. I could hear them but they were miles away. It looks as if the skies are clearing completely so I’ll try for some star shots later.

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_V0G7864   Is this it, is this the last Butterfly of summer? This Comma is in excellent condition.

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_V0G7859  No!  Half an hour later this Small Tortoiseshell turned up, this one looks brand new. I then went to have a look at the newt family. There are more than ever and they have adopted a small frog but it hopped down a hole before I could take it’s picture.

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_V0G7878   I am pretty sure these are Smooth Newts. I turned one over and it had a spotted throat. I then turned another over and it didn’t so either there are both Smooth and Palmate Newts living together or the book is wrong. I hope these survive the winter. They are doing some building work not far away from their home. I don’t know what to do for the best. Let them take their chance or put a sign up telling folk where they are. I counted nine or ten of them and the frog. There could be many more lurking underground. They are beautiful little creatures.

_V0G7885     Whilst rooting about in the undergrowth I found this. I thought I'd found a Pine Ladybird but no. It’s a Harlequin these didn’t exist in the UK ten years ago but they are all over now. They vary dramatically in marking, colour and size but they don’t have black legs. I’m sorry about the picture quality. I popped it in a little plastic box to bring it back to the van but it didn’t have a clue what Sit…Stay meant. Something it has in common with my dogs. It then flew away but came back and landed on my shirt so it is now back in it’s box in the fridge. I’ll try for some better pictures of it later. I’ve been looking for a leaf with some aphids on to keep it quiet but there don’t seem to be any about.

_V0G7871   The gentleman with the car collection popped round to postpone the car snapping. He arrived in this beautiful P Type MG Midget. It was built in 1935 and from the honeycomb radiator I think it is a PA. The PB had a vertically slatted radiator and was a 100cc bigger. It may be the other way round. My memory is not what it was and I forgot to ask.

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_V0G7873  I wish I’d had longer in it’s company. The owner was in a rush, he had to go and cocoon another couple of cars for the winter and pluck some pheasants……It’s no good asking, I didn’t so I don’t know. Strange are the ways of collectors.

We will see what tomorrow brings but the weather is not looking good here.

Have fun.

26 comments:

  1. Great stuff Adrian. I like that ladybird. Has it come into the UK from somewhere else in the world?

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    1. They are a threat to our native species as far as I can gather Carol. I think they came from America in a consignment of Big Macs.

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  2. Both those shots of the tortiseshell butterfly are terrific. I'm more impressed with the car than your dog is. The dog is really cute; the car is awesome. Great pictures of it. Thanks to the owner for allowing you to post pictures of it and thank you for posting them.

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    1. David, the dog chases quad bikes, he mistook it for one as it doesn't have a roof. He gave it a good run for it's money. He is also a daft dog.
      It is a beauty is the car. They aren't very powerful the engine is either 898cc or 998cc. thereabouts anyway. They can be quite exciting to drive on cable operated drum brakes and thin tyres.

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  3. Ik wist niet dat jij een MG had Adrian heb je hem uitgeleend?

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    1. Het is niet de mijne Bas. Ik wou dat het was. Ik zou graag genoeg geld hebben voor een. Ik weet alleen mensen die hen in leven en werk te houden.

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  4. Small Tortoiseshells have been abundant here over the last few months... lovely images.
    A shame to didn't get to see the car collection.

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    1. I couldn't post the car collection. It's work. If he brings them out into public they are fair game.
      I've not seen many butterflies this year and fewer Ladybirds.

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  5. That's a lovely MG, shame he had to cancel..still always next year I suppose. I saw a few species of butterflies today and even two species of dragonflies which I thought was a bit late.
    As for the newts I would check for a website, report the sighting and your concerns no point putting a sign up, the developer will knock it down...probably

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    1. Douglas. The cars are getting wrapped up for the winter.
      It was a beautiful day up here.
      I have since had a word with the owner. He has written on the concrete slab that covers their home in a permanent marker. Anyone found tampering with this will be sacked and your employers will not be paid. Here lie the ashes of my favourite dog. Daft as it sounds it's true.

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  6. Great to see the newts. They will most likely be able to take care of themselves.
    If Penny had been there she would have been sat next to the driver in no time, she loves car rides. I have to keep her on a short lead whenever we pass any vehicle with an open door.

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    1. Mine are the same John. Buses, trains, cars or vans. As long as it is going somewhere they want to go with it. I hope I've sorted the newt job. No rest for the wicked in my life.

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  7. I love those butterflies and newts.
    It's been years since I've seen a newt; but frequently been like one.

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  8. What a wonderful day: butterflies in good condition, newts and a pristine P Type. Sigh.....

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  9. You have some excellent butterfly pictures. these are very colorful and as you say in good shape. So here's my problem. You take great butterfly pictures and are happy with them , You take Just as good of bird pictures and are not satisfied with them. What gives? am I missing something? These old MG's had pizzazz.

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    1. Red, I can't help you. I'm a funny beggar.

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  10. You can't beat the old MG, I had one. And the Smooth Newt, luv it.

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    1. Bob, it is a wonderful car. The family of newts were a good find.

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  11. From colour to camouflage! The combination of butterfly/blossom is outstanding. You found some lucky lizards (or nifty newts)! Sounds like a wonderful day and that car is amazing.

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    1. It was a grand day. The car was the icing on the cake.

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  12. Good photos, friend. Butterflies are beautiful and the car a gem :))
    A hug.

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  13. The butterfly pics are lovely!

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    1. Thank you Maria, they are nothing special though they were great to see so late in the season.

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