The two headed beast of Hampshire

[British Red]

Just so every one knows, this is the ragwort that Jon was referring to - its poisonous to cattle and horses but is a food source to cinnabar moths. It is a contact poison to humans too. I'm not one for needless killing and in the rape field where I saw it (which has lovely pesticide free border full of wild flowers and insects), its fenced off from any animals.

Red

 

[bushwacker bob]

Under the 'Dangerous weeds' Act of 1958 it is Illegal to have it growing on your land.There are no prosecutions tho,as Local authorities are the worst offenders.
It causes liver failure in equines and is a cumulative poison..

 

[JonnyP]

Here is some ragwort with some cinnabar moth catapillers on it.......
Red......I would recommend you getting Collins Complete British Wildlife photo guide, its far from complete, but a very good guide, has most things I find in it.............Jon

 

[Adi]

Hi Red great images and your poppy images were very appropriate for yesterday.

I have to agree with Jon re the Collins Complete British Wildlife Photo guide an excellent book, not perfect but still an excellent resource.

 

[British Red]

Thanks guys - the Collins guide it shall be - their birdson resource and "spotters guid to trees" have both been good so I have no doubt it will soon be covered in coffee stains and grubby thumb prints!

Thanks for the Ragwort with cinnabar caterpillars Jon - I'll know what I'm looking for now!

No images for today as I decided to have a lazy one after yesterday and racked off some mead and began a new firesteel instead (Stuart Marsh gave me some fantastic cocobolo that I have been itching to try out - needs a final sand but BBs ironing and its too hot outside - I'll do it later - finally got round to trying out brass lanyard tubes as suggested and I have to say, although a little tricky at first it seems to work)

Thanks for all the tips

Red

 

[British Red]

Just a quick shot as the mist rolled over the back field last night - rather pretty I thought

Red

 

[Fenlander]

Or possibly a couple f very friendly butterflies - thought you might like today's "walk in the woods" image

Red

Hugh,

Why not stick this picture of Meadow Brown's in the quiz thread asking what they are

 

[British Red]

Why not stick this picture of Meadow Brown's in the quiz thread asking what they are

Fenlander,

Good idea - I have some other "reference shots" that might be good - I'll get to it mate

Thought you might like an awww picture - octuplets in the garden

Red

 

[British Red]

Afternoon all,

Took a stroll in the area of one the Saxon villages today with BB. A beautiful place and saw a few things that might be worth sharing

Brown trout in a beautifully clear stream

Bufo bufo - the common toad

Evening primrose flowering

Saw a tulip tree as well - fairly unusual in this part of the world so I added it to my "personal catalogue" - heres some reference shots if you haven't seen one

Leaf

Bark

Finally, I thought you might like to see a beautiful yew tree - the Chrurch where it sits is Saxon and is dated to c. 1035. No idea how old this chap is, but older than any of us

All the best

Red

 

[JonnyP]

Nah, that tree is not as old as Tony
Lovely shots again Red, esp the toad

 

[stovie]

Finally, I thought you might like to see a beautiful yew tree - the Chrurch where it sits is Saxon and is dated to c. 1035. No idea how old this chap is, but older than any of us

All the best

Red

Is that a sussex churchyard Red? I've been 'round them all in my other guise as churchsketcher but can't for the life of me place that tree.

Website is a bit out of date now, and a bit naff as i did it quite some time ago...

 

[bushwacker bob]

Is that a sussex churchyard Red? I've been 'round them all in my other guise as churchsketcher but can't for the life of me place that tree.

Website is a bit out of date now, and a bit naff as i did it quite some time ago...

No.looks like Corhampton.Hants......Red?

 

[Dougster]

Just a quick shot as the mist rolled over the back field last night - rather pretty I thought

Red

Fantastic pic Red. Prompted me to take my camera out more again.

 

[Fenlander]

I was lucky enough to spot this White-letter Hairstreak butterfly feeding on the flowers of Meadow Rue today. The larvae feed on Elm and as adults feed on aphid honeydew so are rarely seen near the ground. It is called "White-letter" because of the white "W" mark along the trailing edge of the wing.

 

[British Red]

No.looks like Corhampton.Hants......Red?

Quite right mate - its the old Saxon church in Corhampton Stovie

(nice shot btw Kevin)

Red

 

[British Red]

There is also a moth that looks similar......The 6 spot burnet moth, also a day time flyer, has the red spots, 6 of them, but no red stripe............Jon

Jon,

Like this one? Saw it today as we were out and about- seems to be a 5 spot Burnet this one (I bought the Collins guide so I didn't have to keep saying "whats dis" - actually I was sent one by a kind soul), Beautiful wee chap I thought

Red


PS - this chap just popped into the yard to say hi

 

[JonnyP]

Thats the kiddy Red, but I am more interested in the plant it is feeding on, I think its a round headed rampion and if it is, they are quite scarce. Look at this post on WAB http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/f...ts-tree-forums/3327-round-headed-rampion.html

 

[British Red]

Thats the kiddy Red, but I am more interested in the plant it is feeding on, I think its a round headed rampion and if it is, they are quite scarce. Look at this post on WAB http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/f...ts-tree-forums/3327-round-headed-rampion.html

Looks about right Jon, you'd know better than me...does a higher res shot help you?

If it is right, I can point you to a spot where theres a few hundred of them!

Red

 

[JonnyP]

Pretty sure it is rampion and being on the downs is the right place to see it. Would love to come over and get some shots of it.........

 

[British Red]

Pretty sure it is rampion and being on the downs is the right place to see it. Would love to come over and get some shots of it.........

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