Work part 2

More from the nettle patch where I have never seen as many 2-spot Ladybirds together. 

2-spot Ladybird

A mating pair.

Harlequin Ladybird.

Mating pair of Harlequin.

There were a few Harlequin Ladybirds around.

14-spotted Ladybird.

Ladybird larva.

Common Nettle Bug.

Froghopper.

Soldier Beetle.

Heather Beetle.

Willow Flea Beetle.

Flea Beetle.

Nettle Groundbug.

Common Green Shieldbug.

Common Green Shieldbug eggs.

Pollen Beetle.

Gibside

 At the end of last month (I’m way behind again) my wife and I had a short walk around Gibside. We have been members of the National Trust for years but don’t use our passes as often as we used to (we will have to put that right). We only went as far as the bird hide but as there was nothing there, we came back to the Octagon Pond. It was fascinating to watch the antics of the Little Grebe and Coots chasing each other around so we were there a while.

The first bird we saw was a Buzzard.

This Little Grebe was after something.

It was another Little Grebe.

Having a shake down.

Then back to calmly swimming about.

We got caught in a downpour however we were standing under a tree so we remained reasonably dry. It didn’t stop the birds doing what they were doing.

I haven’t a clue what this one has dug up from the bottom off the pond.

Little Grebe sitting on a nest they have built which is quite close to the edge of the pond.

The Grebe stood up briefly and I could see at least two eggs in the nest (they probably have chicks by now). I was standing behind the fence which is around the pond and using a 500mm lens so as not to disturb the birds. 

Coot in what I call stealth mode.

Like the Grebes they were chasing each other around having territorial disputes.

Back into stealth mode

I cannot believe how…

…long a go it is since I took these images, it is eighteen days, its taken me that long to go through all of the images from Mull that I have neglected everything else. I could have made this Blog, from Twizell Woods, about only one species of dragonfly, the Southern Hawker, but I thought that would be a bit boring so I have added a couple of other dragonflies, oh and a couple of other images.

Apart from resizing this and the next image to fit the Blog, this is the first time I have not had to crop an image of a Southern Hawker (or any dragonfly) in flight.

One of the Southern Hawkers eventually landed.

Another one having a bite of bait.

Female laying eggs.

Male Common Hawker in flight.

Female Common Hawker

Female Common Hawker laying eggs.

Male Common Darter in flight.

Tandem pair of Common Darter.

Frog Hoppers.

This Silver Y moth seems to be checking the fly out by touching its leg with its antenna.