Cuttlefish hatching!

In mid July we found a cluster of cuttlefish eggs stranded on the shore at Mawbray. Click here for that blog. We rushed them off to Maryport Aquarium, where they kindly put them in a tank to hopefully rear them ...today we went back to see the tiny little hatched cuttles - they are now about the size of a small little-finger nail....and very cute! 

The washed up eggs...

Today's visit ....

Baby Cuttlefish - and below! 

Sunflowers - Crummock Bank Farm

This local annual spectacle is well worth a visit - planted to raise funds for the Air Ambulance and for the benefit of wildlife, it is indeed a spectacle. Visitors give a donation and are able to experience the 'Field of Dreams' and cut their own bouquet. If you are local please visit and enjoy. 

With Skiddaw in the background.

One of many Hoverflies.

Leighton Moss - Cattle Egret

Autumn is well on the way and most of the bords were hiding well out of sight, as they are moulting ...

Amazingly we saw, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Grey Heron and Spoonbills. 

Purple Loosestrife.

Speckled Wood.

Bindweed.

Cattle Egret.

Little Egret. 

Distant Spoonbills - eight in total. 

Autumn Lady's Tresses

This dainty little orchid marks the end of the 'orchid season'. Its Latin name is Spiranthes spiralis and the spiral form adds to its beauty. These were at the Silverdale site and while they have been droughted and there was some grazing - rabbits and cattle - it was good to see them at this remarkable little site.

..and I always like seeing Carline Thistle...

Horn of Plenty

..and there were plenty, which was lovely to see. We took both the dogs today, so photography wasn't my priority, but a few snaps of Horn of Plenty and Turkey Tail - photographing the Speckled Wood with one hand whilst being pulled by two dogs was just a tad tricky! 

Rocky and Rowan.

Horn of Plenty.

Turkey Tail.

Speckled Wood. 

Obviously, as you get close to the Speckeld Wood it shuts its wings...

 

Maryport textures

I never can resist photographing fishing paraphernalia! 

...Barnacles on an old timber on the dockside. 

Maryport Trawler Race 2023

Sadly, with Storm Betty's arrival this year's trawler race had to be cancelled with the boats 'dressed' but not leaving the harbour due to the sea state. Fingers crossed for next year! 

ConText exhibition

I belong to a Contemporary Textile Group called ConText. This weekend we are exhibiting our work, together with Keswick Embroiderers, in Threlkeld Village Hall . I'm exhibiting three pieces - details are here and here and well - there was going to be another link, but it appears I didn't post this - so here is my saltmarsh interpretation ...

Whilst setting up this afternoon - a few snaps ....Details of the event are at the bottom of the post ...