Deep in dense vegetation in the Stratford on Avon Butterfly Farm, it’s just possible to make out an adult ring-necked parakeet feeding a scruffy younger bird. A couple of minutes later, only the adult was visible.
Stratford Butterfly Farm: butterflies, first batch
I took a lot of butterfly pictures when I visited the Stratford Butterfly Farm recently. Here is a first selection.
Stratford Butterfly Farm: creepy, crawly arachnids
More from the vivariums at the Stratford Butterfly Farm: a selection of arachnids. If you have spider phobia, don’t load the other photos in this set. Both are big, hairy spiders, one a tarantula.
Stratford Butterfly Farm: zebra finches
Flittering among the tropical butterflies on the Stratford on Avon Butterfly Farm is a small flock of zebra finches. In flight, they were moving so fast almost hidden by vegetation, just landing occasionally. But when they were eating and drinking they were unfazed by near approaches.
Stratford Butterfly Farm: sun beetles
More vivarium residents at the Stratford on Avon Butterfly Farm: sun beetles come from Africa.
Herons NOT ignoring each other, West Park
Outside the breeding season, herons in close proximity seem to spend their time ignoring the other’s presence. Just before Christmas, these two on West Park’s boating lake island – one adult bird, the other immature – spent some time staring at each other.