Category: David

Betony, also known as bishopwort – cone of purple flowers visible among the tall grass of meadows.

Pond skater which was zooming across the surface of a slow-moving stream in Sutton Park. One of the larger of the nine species of pond skaters in Britain.

Meadow brown butterfly, perhaps a female, resting half-hidden in long grass as it warms itself in the morning sunshine.

Buddleia bushes usually have elongeted cones of purple flowers: this species has balls of orange flowers. Buddleias are often known as the butterfly bush. These pictures were taken a bit early in the morning for butterflies, but bees were already enthusiastic visitors.

Corncockle arrived in Britain in prehistoric times, coming as a weed in wheat when wheat growing was introduced. This flower was on another of the plants in the sewn wildflower bed by the Ranger’s hut at Baggeridge Country Park.

Tortoiseshell butterfly spreading its wings in the mid-morning sun, resting on a canalside nettle; getting itself warm to recharge its batteries.