West Park heron in Willow tree

West Park heron

This heron seems to have chosen the willow tree on the island of the smaller arm of the lake in West Park as its preferred perch.

West Park heron

West Park heron

West Park heron

Aylesbury duck on Badger pool

Aylesbury duck on Badger pool

One of a pair of Aylesbury’s which were on the lookout for bread when the mallards seemed happy to be resting in the warm sun.

Access all areas 2 – Phalaenopsis orchid

Access all areas 2 - Phalaenopsis orchid

A second “Access all areas” session where the entire Conservatory at West Park was opened to photographers was held at the end of June. The pictures I took will feature in several posts in the coming days. The first instalment is this magnificent orchid which was in one of the greenhouses at the back, not normally open to the public.

Access all areas 2 - Phalaenopsis orchid

6-spot burnet moth on greater knapweed flower

6-spot burnet moth on greater knapweed flower

The 6-spot burnet is a vividly-coloured, day-flying moth.

6-spot burnet moth on greater knapweed flower

By my count, this one has five spots on each wing. This is not unusual.

6-spot burnet moth on greater knapweed flower

This series of pictures are all of the same individual. They show how the colours, especially the iridescent blue, varied dramatically as it moved very short distances as it fed on the knapweed flower.

6-spot burnet moth on greater knapweed flower