Drumburgh Moss

The mosses are really beginning to colour up. After all the hard work of Hesket Show and a sustained period re-finding the garden, it was nice to be out in a big landscape with big skies. There were lots of Speckled Wood butterflies, Back Darters and many Swallows and Martins, that were preparing for their southwood departure.  

Conservation grazing - Exmoor ponies.

Male and female Black Darter.

Speckled Wood and Small Tortoisehell.

Part of one of the old carved interpretive board: an adder and moth just about distinguishable.

Looking across to Skidddaw.

Bog Asphodel and Heather.

Strong colours.

A nice expanse.

Walking back.

Pavement Patterns Book

After visiting Whitbarrow and photographing the limestone pavements, I decided to try a Pavement Patterns book. I began by making some gelli prints using acryllic paint and also inks .... not particulalry successful, but what I am learning is to keep going and work on things until they do work! So by cutting prints up and then making them into a book, I have made a half reasonable inspiration source book....where this leads now I have no idea! 

Chasing Brimstones

 After walking along Whitbarrow we popped into Latterbarrow. This small reserve was a riot of late summer colour. It was good to see so many butterflies - especially the Brimstones.

..and a Comma.

..and Peacocks...

Pavement Patterns

There's some really nice pavement on Whitbarrow; good shapes and textures.....

High Brown Fritillaries

 It was great to see these on Whitbarrow Scar the other day....so a few more photos! 

and that beautiful underside!

Whitbarrow Scar

We try to pick our days carefully, depending on the weather, so as we drove over Shap and through a drizzly Tebay Gorge we did wonder.....But it dried up as we headed south and when we got onto the top of Whitbarrow, it was a scorcher! A glorious walk with lovely flowers and butterflies. The sky hinted at thundery showers, but thankfully they didn't materialise.  

Whitbarrow...

Walking up through the woods the Broad-leaved Helleborines were bob on! 

Broad-leaved Helleborine flower.

Up onto the Scar top, where the Dark-red Helleborines were over, with just dried up petals left.

Carline Thistles and below.

Looking back ...

There were lots of Grayling butterflies on the wing.

The sun came out ....

Looking into Central Lakes.

Harebells....

Nice limestone pavements and grykes.

With the heat, limestone, flowers and butterflies, it was reminiscent of Spain.

The beautiful High Brown Fritillary.

A very fresh Red Admiral.

Just lovely!

I do like Harebells!

... and back to the beginning.