To me it looks like a wasp, but the AI identification on iNaturalist claims it is a species of nomad bee. If so, it’s a kleptoparasite, a “cuckoo bee” – laying its eggs in the nests of other bee species, like cuckoos lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.
Variety of fancy tulips. Most are currently on display in the Dutch Garden at Bantock House, with the white ones in a front garden.
Coot chicks, tiny and looking like they were only recently hatched. With one of the parents on the nest, right by the shore of one of the islands in the lake at West Park. The other parent was swimming close by.
Orange tip butterfly, a female, so lacking the orange tip to the upper wings, but with the green pattern underneath, feeding on honesty flowers.
This one was tiny: about half the size butterflies of this species normally are.
Orange tip butterfly, a male. They are the ones with the orange tips to their upper wings. Tis one was occasionally also showing its lower wings, with their green veining. Resting on the canal bank near Aldersley Junction.
Late April. Green alkanet with its tiny blue flowers. The flowers and leaves lightly dusted with an early morning frost.
