Category: David

Thistle flower buds, looking in close-up more like cacti than any kind of temperate zone vegetation, then the soft flowers when the buds open.

Gatekeeper butterflies – another species I have been noticing in greater numbers than in recent years this summer.

Nettle with seeds beginning to ripen, standing tall by the footbridge over the Comton Park pool. This picture of the highest section of the plant was taken from eye level.

I’ve seen more cinnabar moth adults than usual this year, but for a long time no caterpillars. These were the first I eventually noticed, on ragwort, their favourite food plant, in Baggeridge Country Park.

Figwort in flower, growing tall right at the edge of the canal, this one directly opposite the Wildside Centre.

Yellow shell moths, quite common and sometimes day flying. These took short flights, then landed in or by hedgerows outside Worfield and by the towpath at Castlecroft.