Upper Teesdale Flora

As promised - more on our Upper Teesdale walk (pilgrimage). 

Meloncholy Thistle and Wood Crane's-bill.

Shrubby Cinquefoil, Hoary Rockrose and Alpine Bistort.

Early Marsh Orchid, Scottish Asphodel and Mountain Avens.

Hoary Whitlow Grass.

Common Spotted- orchids.

Early Marsh Orchid. 

Upper Teesdale

A hot but glorious walk from Bowlees along the Tees and up onto Cronkley Fell. Splendid flowers and views....more blogs to come! 

Low Force.

Looking downstream...

Classic hay meadows.

High Force.

One of two Dark Green Fritillaries we saw. 

A hunkered down Red Grouse chick - very difficult to spot.

Looking down the Green Trod. 

Mountain Avens in amongst Hoary Rockrose. 

Bank-side orchids - Common Spotted-orchids.

Marsh Marigolds

With so much to do and see at this time of year there has been little time for 'my' art; yes there have been commissions and cards to make etc, but this was the result of some me-time. I'll only have to wait ten months to photogrpah it next to real flowers in its correct habitat; in the meantime my lawn will have to do! 

Before firing. 

Latterbarrow

After visiting Foulshaw we popped down the road to Latterbarrow ... the Fly orchids and Greater Butterfly orchids were well over and the meadows were distinctly dry, with a high summer look! Good to see so many Northern Brown Argus butterflies. 

Northern Brown Argus on Tufted Vetch.

Speckled Wood.

Large Skipper.

Summer time.

Not brilliant photographs but good to see a Hummingbird Hawk-moth.
It didn't stop still as it was ovipositing. 

Quaking grass and Fragrant orchid.

Foulshaw Moss...

The highlights of the visit ....a gorgeous Adder on the boardwalk ...and White-faced Darters.

Looking across to Whitbarrow.

Whitbarrow.

My 'camera view' of the Osprey and the Trust's webcam.

Yellow Flag Iris and marsh Cinquefoil.

Adder and Common Lizard.

Adder...

After much time and patience..Large Heath ! 

White-faced Darter ...and below ....

Stickle Barn - Rossett Pike - Angle Tarn - Esk Pike

A superb, if not a rather humid and warm walk...

Bowfell Butress and Rossett Pike.

Spectacular moraines looking down Langdale. 

From Rossett Pike to Esk Pike. 

From Rossett Pike looking down Langdale. 

Angle Tarn and Rossett Pike. 

From Esk Pike to the Scafells.

Darkening skies ...

Tired from the heat, but happy. 

Returning to Langdale and Stickle Barn. 

Smardale Gill Nature Reserve

As our week off continues ...a visit to Smardale. It's behind f  or the time of year and it took a while before we saw a Northern Brown Argus - but then there were plenty. The light was bright and the flowers shone! 

The viaduct.

Common Rockrose; Melancholy Thistle; Greater Butterfly orchid and Fragrant orchid.

Bloody Crane's-bill.

Common Blue; Speckled Wood; Small Paerl-bordered Fritillary and Northern Brown Argus. 

Crossing Scandal Beck.

Dog Rose.

Northern Brown Argus.