Finding Time.....

I am back again at last. It is a bit frustrating not being able to devote more time to my blog, but the parts of my life that keep me away are wonderful. HOWEVER! Summer is arriving, the wildlife is awakening and I have a new camera to practice with before our trip to Botswana later in the year.

There is something really therapeutic about looking for and finding creatures of all sizes. You start to see a real beauty and incredible detail in even the smallest creatures. Here are a few pictures taken over the last 2 weeks. Some in our garden and some from our local area. This is just the start for this year!

Hope you enjoy these - starting with some old favorites and then new ones. Please do leave a comment or two at the bottom or 'Like' or 'Share' on my Facebook page.

A Regular and welcome visitor to the garden.

Squirrels are regular visitors to our garden at all times of the year. Daring, cheeky and so entertaining.

Red Admiral

Red Admirals visit our garden every year. The 'Wild' area around the pond with the tall Buddleia plants proves a real magnet for these beauties.

Peacock

Most years we only see one or two Peacock Butterflies, one of the UK's most stunning, but this year seems to be 'Their Year'!. We have seen dozens of them both in the garden and in the forest. The photo doesn't really do them justice.

The New Forest

One of our favourite spots in the forest is a secret spot near Burley. Formed from a long disused gravel pit the surrounding landscape hides it from view and only a small number of people ever find their way to the hidden lake.

A Hidden Paradise for Wildlife

This fabulous spot is a haven for wildlife from horses down to the smallest bugs and pond dwellers. I missed out a little today because while I was searching for bugs, my son Neil and Grandson Ewan were finding tadpoles, baby newts, pond skaters, whirligig beetles. But, I did have a little success!

Sundew

 Most people miss these stunning little insect eating plants. They sit close to the ground and are very easily overlooked. Get down on your knees and take a close look - you can often see their dinner!

A Sundews Dinner

Here you can clearly see the Sundews dinner. Attracted by the sweet smelling 'Dew', once the fly lands on it there is no escape from the glue like substance.

A Family Affair

 I am so lucky to have a family who share this passion. Hardly a week goes past when we are not all up to our knees in water, mud, undergrowth or climbing on trees and rocks!

Spider Mites Hatching?

 The picture above and the one below show a mass of hatching Spider Mites (we think). At first glance we thought the web belonged to a 'Nursery Web' spider. The web was a large coccoon about 6 inches across and the same deep. The contents however resembled spider mites far more than spiders. If anyone knows better PLEASE let me know?

A Close Up of the Spider Mites

The Purbeck Coast

And now on to some really tiny creatures who happened to land on me while I was enjoying a baguette, cake and coffee while sat on the clifftop close to Durlston lighthouse yesterday (Saturday).

Durlston Lighthouse from where we were sitting.

This is one of the most stunning coastlines in the world - and we have seen a few! The 'Jurassic Coast' is a 'World Heritage' site and for good reason. There are few better places for walking. Maybe one day I will do an entry that concentrates on this area alone!

Did he smell my coronation chicken baguette?

 This tiny, simple little insect landed on my finger! One of the simplest insects I have seen with a very primitive body and simple eyes. Hardly threatening. See the close up below.

Close Up

Even smaller!

Believe it or not, this little fly was even smaller than the one above! Less than 2mm in length but a much more complex body structure. So easy to miss the detail and beauty of the life around us - don't swat - take a closer look!

An Ant - OK, that is obvious - close up below.

Struggling through the forest of hairs on my finger!

Ants fascinate me - OK, this is not the most exciting ant picture I have ever taken, but he climbed up me and into range of my camera - no escape and now he is immortalized in my collection.

And now a few more from my garden to finish up...
Although only an average sized garden and a semi-detached house, by looking closely we find an incredible variety of wildlife. Here a few to keep you going...

Beetle - found by the pond.

Spider eating by the pond

Crane Fly - by the pond.

And finally......

Maybe our favourite visitor. It is a good year for fox spotting so far. We have seen him/her most evenings for the last few weeks and occasionally during the day. Having a railway embankment at the end of the garden is a huge advantage for wildlife lovers.

That's all for now. Thank you all for taking the trouble to share my passion for wildlife. I would really appreciate some  comments or a 'Like' or 'Share' on my Facebook page. If you would like to be alerted to new posts drop me an email address and I will gladly add you to the list.

Bye for now

Ian