Red campion: Lockdown 38

A tiny amount of rain overnight to freshen things up. The red campion was glowing!

Crosswort - a lovely green.

Stitchwort.

Yellow water avens ...

Emperor moth lures...

Earlier in the week we had another successful session with a pheromone lure ...

Lockdown sketchbook : week 4

Week 4's daily sketches....

Crab apple blossom: Lockdown 37

The blossom is really fabulous this year, so being it was a duller day I decided to make it my day's focus as it's easier to photograph if it isn't full on sunshine! Nice to see goldfinches feeding on the dandelion clocks too.

The goldfinches were feasting.

There are still lots of cowslips to come out.

Bluebells are appearing in our verges ...

Plantains snake-like heads are blossoming!

..and finally after days of trying - displaying lapwings are captured!

Headend Quarry: Lockdown 36

A quick walk this morning up to the quarry. Much colder and duller today - as was forecast. Good to see the rosettes of twayblade, fragrant and common spotted orchids coming up.

Spectacular cowslips on the way up to the quarry.

Skiddaw.

Fragrant orchid.

Common spotted orchid.

Twayblade.

Drumburgh National Nature Reserve

A glorious walk and day yesterday!

Across the reflections to Skiddaw.

Across the bog cotton to Carrock Fell.

Cotton grass and a tiger beetle.

The cuckoos have arrived - literally today! 

 

 

Mallard and ducklings.

Lily pads...

Lockdown sketchbook: week 3

Beginning to catch up on posting and blogging things! Doing the daily dog walk, photo collage and sketch take time!

Cuckoo flower: Lockdown 35

Suddenly, the verges are frothing with cuckoo flower and orange tips. A sunny day again; tomorrow will be a shock as the forecast isn't do good. There's lots of blossom - the end of the blackthorn, new hawthorn, wild cherry, bird cherry and crab apple.

Crab apple blossom.

Wild garlic.

Orange tip.

Blossom.

Arum: Lockdown 34

A selection of photographs of wild arum/ lords and ladies/ cuckoo pint. I love the sculptural nature of this plant - today's piece of artwork based on it should be nice and easy - plenty of inspiration here!

Mawbray in the sun...

Yesterday's permitted walk along the beach for our daily exercise was stunning...the light was beautiful and it was lovely and warm. While the highlight was undoubtedly the bonxie the views and other birds were equally spectacular in their own way.