Category: David

One of the many native species of longhorn beetles: so called because of their impressive antennae.

This particular species is common, and feeds mainly on nectar, as here.

Almost certainly the descendant of a cultivated foxglove, but this white specimen was nevertheless growing wild.

Various insects feeding on thistle flowers. Notice the huge eyes of the hoverfly.

In contrast, these black beetles are tiny.

A bumblebee bends its body to extract the maximum amount of nectar.

The chestnut tree miner is a moth whose larvae burrow in chestnut trees causing the brown discolouration seen here. The infestation is spreading and now well established in the West Midlands.

A honey bee gathering nectar.

Comma feeding. The ragged trailing edges of the wings are part of the species’ camouflage.

As we get well into summer, wasps begin to get more numerous.

This butterfly was resting and displaying itself to deter possible rivals.

Some blackberries are already ripe or almost ripe (above). Many more are on their way.

These honeysuckle flowers have come completely.

And these (above and below) different stages before they are fully developed.

One of the several species of ragwort. I didn’t hang around long enough to try to identify the species more precisely.

Another large frog making itself comfortable in a makeshift bird bath.