What a lovely thread, there are some gorgeous photos here. Shep 's photos are superb. Sorry I can't send one, everything runs/flies away as soon as I get my camera out. Maybe I should have got a black camera instead of a bright purple one!
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Obelixx - I contacted a moth/butterfly site run by Steve Ogden, and he IDd him for me as a Grey Dagger moth. I looked at the link he gave me to his site, and one of the pix was identical. He gets a bigger 'hump' down his back and gets a bit bigger too. The caterpillar, not Steve....
Some of the caterpillars he'd photographed had been raised on blackthorn, and I have a blackthorn hedge - a few feet from where I took the pic. Nice to know that planting it is having real benefits.
Jump in 79henriksen - look forward to seeing any pix you take. We're keen on wildlife of all kinds on the forum
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
That's interesting. We had those moths in Belgium but I never saw the caterpillars and we didn't have blackthorn. We get tiger moths here and some brilliant yellow butterflies which don't sit still long enough to identify. Quite a few bees on the salvias at the mo.
Just hoping we'll get more insects and more variety as the garden develops.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
They must have other food sources, but I certainly haven't seen one of those caterpillars before, so I can only assume the blackthorn has had some effect. I'm hoping so anyway! If it clears up I might go and have a look around and see if I can spot him again - he might have brought some family and friends too
As you say, as your garden develops, you'll attract masses of insects and wildlife Obelixx. You have so much scope there, and so many plans. It's great
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
The extremely rare Welsh tree salmon, only found in Betws-y-Coed.
What a lovely thread, there are some gorgeous photos here. Shep 's photos are superb. Sorry I can't send one, everything runs/flies away as soon as I get my camera out. Maybe I should have got a black camera instead of a bright purple one!
josusa
Do they taste good?
BL - I get a lot of mine from the kitchen or bedroom window, as I can see the bird cage from those.
The little wren (or it may be another one!) appeared just at the right moment today
and this little chap was on the front wall of the extension while I was working there earlier
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Any idea what he is? Striking markings.
Fairygirl, didn't you read "extremely rare"? So, they're a protected species, so I've never tasted one. People who have say they're a bit woody.
Not a clue Obelixx. Haven't had time to try and find out. I put him on Forkers in the hope someone might know.
Josusa - you'd have to watch out for splinters too.....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Indeed a nice thread with some impressive photos. Just signed up at this site :-) Can't wait to get some good inspiration here.
Obelixx - I contacted a moth/butterfly site run by Steve Ogden, and he IDd him for me as a Grey Dagger moth. I looked at the link he gave me to his site, and one of the pix was identical. He gets a bigger 'hump' down his back and gets a bit bigger too. The caterpillar, not Steve....
Some of the caterpillars he'd photographed had been raised on blackthorn, and I have a blackthorn hedge - a few feet from where I took the pic. Nice to know that planting it is having real benefits.
Jump in 79henriksen - look forward to seeing any pix you take. We're keen on wildlife of all kinds on the forum
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
That's interesting. We had those moths in Belgium but I never saw the caterpillars and we didn't have blackthorn. We get tiger moths here and some brilliant yellow butterflies which don't sit still long enough to identify. Quite a few bees on the salvias at the mo.
Just hoping we'll get more insects and more variety as the garden develops.
They must have other food sources, but I certainly haven't seen one of those caterpillars before, so I can only assume the blackthorn has had some effect. I'm hoping so anyway! If it clears up I might go and have a look around and see if I can spot him again - he might have brought some family and friends too
As you say, as your garden develops, you'll attract masses of insects and wildlife Obelixx. You have so much scope there, and so many plans. It's great
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...