Bluetail wheel

Darter's eye view

A Common Darter's view over our pond (A640). Click.

Brown Argus studies

A640

Click 'em.

Lesser Emperors

Proof of breeding in the Peterborough area, 5.8.07 (DSLR).

Click it for a large version.

Horse head

Click it!

Pond carnage

The final breaking of warm weather has encouraged an emergence of flying ants, today (31.7.07). Many of them have found their way into the pond, where Pond Skaters are acting like Alaskan Grizzly Bears at a salmon run. These are times of plenty, my skating friends - but sharing a meal with a friend while you mate is surely going too far... (A640).

Oxymoron 2

Ruddy Heaven

Ruddy Darter, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough (31.7.07).

Another skater

Tern for the worse

I fear for this young Common Tern at Maxey pits (29.7.07), which appears to have a damaged wing (digiscope).

Juvvy Med

This juvenile Mediterranean Gull was the star bird at Maxey pits this evening (29.7.07), despite competition from the two Wood Sandpipers (one of which was particularly vocal). Mmmm, the scalloping (digiscope)!

Gas

The best thing about my new work place is the cycle ride to and from it. It takes me five miles through some pleasant parts of Peterborough and soothes the mind, as well as helping get me fit, tone my muscles and lose weight. Most days, I listen to my iPod as I cylce and it is vital that I choose the correct music for the journey as it moulds my mood for the ride as well as the day, but particularly the ride. Sometimes, I just listen to one track on repeat...

The message-filled music came loud and clear as I emerged the other day. Hundred-mile-an-hour winds were ice-blasting the side of my face and body with hailstones and sleet. I invoked the name of our Holy Mother during my descent through the storm to the side of the rowing lake.

A hairy-faced, gum-chewing old lady walking her hounds there was not pleased to see me, seeming to deliberately step in my path, forcing me up a little muddy slope to avoid her and her pack. She even had the cheek to try and whack me as I passed with a leather lead - to teach me a lesson for daring to cycle on the same path as her.

In accordance to this Biblical season, the rain came down harder, soaking deep into my bones. I continued riding - a frozen wet corpse. At Ferry Meadows, the puddles were lakes and it became harder to control the bike. I skidded, fell, and gashed my knees. The blood spilt out and joined my sandwiches, scattered in pieces in the mud. I was not pleased.

Final humiliation came as I passed through Lynch Wood. Unseen to my shaded eyes, a branch of a wild rose was hanging over the path. Thorns inevitably tore into my scalp, drawing further crimson.

But, it's all right now.

Sand

Sanderling, Maxey pits, Cambs, 28.7.07 (digiscope).

At Maxey this evening were:
Sanderling, 1,
Wood Sandpiper, 2,
Green Sandpiper, 14,
Common Sandpiper, 5,
Dunlin, 8,
Redshank, 1, juve.

Also usual breeding waders and a pair of visiting Shelduck with two youngsters.

Common Darter studies

Southern Hawker

(DSLR)

(A640)

The tenth dragonfly species to visit our new pond.

Oxymoron

Water Measurer

This fascinating, cool bug was in our pond today (27.7.07). It looks like a child's drawing of what a Pond Skater ought to look like, and moves like the same drawing (A640). The eyes, for instance, seem to be in totally the wrong place.
For a bigger view, click the pics.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly

Photographed at Media House lake, Lynchwood, Peterborough, 24.7.07 (A640). This species was only recorded in the Peterborough area for the first time last year. It only reached the UK in 1999 and is still spreading northwards. Other sites in the local area where it has been found include Ferry Meadows (not far from here), Thorpe Meadows, Farcet Fen and just outside Crowland.

Click it!

Chicory tip

Garlic flower

New pond insect

This male Black-tailed Skimmer was a new insect for our pond (22.7.07). It is the ninth species of drag to visit since we created it less than two months ago (DSLR).

For your records, the list goes:
Azure Dameslfly,
Blue-tailed Damselfly,
Hairy Dragonfly,
Emperor,
Brown Hawker,
Broad-bodied Chaser,
Four-spotted Chaser,
Common Darter,
Black-tailed Skimmer.

Cruciform

Sparrowhawk over our garden, Peterborough, 22.7.07 (DSLR)

The Face

Common Darter, our garden Peterborough, 22.7.07 (A640).

Maxey action

Black Tern (DSLR)

Maxey pits had a few good birds today (21.7.07), Including:

Black Tern , 1, found by Mark Ward this afternoon,
Wood Sandpiper, 2, (present since yesterday),
Turnstone, 6,
Common Sandpiper, 6,
Green Sandpiper, 7,
Dunlin, 6.

Three of the six Turnstones (digiscope)

Pocket microscope

Common Darter exuvia taken with Canon PowerShot A640.

Click shots for enlargements.