Ants and Adders

What promised to be the sunniest day over the Easter period did not quite live up to expectations. The chance to photograph an Adder in Bedfordshire was, however, realised. There were four or five females on show by mid-morning as the sun tried to burn off the cloud.  Some were seen to increase their surface area by flattening their bodies and therefore increasing the warming effect of the sun.

Image taken with the Tamron macro (still getting to know this lens). The cloudy eye suggests sloughing of the skin will be soon

Canon 350D, Tamron 180mm macro,
1/125th sec, f /10, ISO 400, handheld

There were a number of active Wood Ant nests over the site. They cannot sting but do bite and can spray formic acid.

Honey Bee

There were a few bees around the Hazel today - just in time to try out the new macro lens - a Tamron 180mm. Roll-on warmer weather !

Afternoon Walk

Migrant Hawker

Quite a few Migrant Hawker were enjoying another warm day at Dunstable Stw this afternoon. This one was resting on Spindle.

Clouded Yellow

There were four Clouded Yellow at Ledburn Road Sandpit this afternoon. A few of these migrant insects are seen in most years.

Wall Brown

Still hanging on in the brick pits. A second brood male Wall Brown nectaring on Knapweed.

King's Wood, Heath & Reach: 18/07/2009

As the weather for the next day looked foul, another visit to King's wood was in order. The highlights were three Purple Emperor, but fewer Silver-washed Fritillary. Purple Hairstreak numbers had increased, as did Painted Lady - most of the latter were fresh individuals. A single, fresh Brown Argus was my first for a while. A Southern Hawker stopped by to nibble on its prey.