Monday 20 July 2015

In the Dells today

It was mild and dull today, perfect weather for summer fungi such as these little wheel fungi in Colinton Dell

Meanwhile the lime (linden) trees are in flower, their scent is just beautiful

Despite the overcast skies, the insects were very active today. Plenty of bees about plus lots of red soldier beetles, many of which were making sure there will continue to be plenty of red soldier beetles...

Plus hoverflies, including Volucella pellucens, which I identified for the first time yesterday on our walk along the Brunstane Burn and today I got some decent photos

and also this hoverfly, which I think is Cheilosia illustrata - edited to add the UK Hoverfly Facebook Group have now confirmed this for me!

and the wildflower meadow on the site of the old Bogs Mill is looking beautiful just now, full of meadowsweet, meadow cranesbill, bog asphodel and ox eye daisies among other flowers. Plenty of bees here too. No butterflies today at all!







10 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Pretty images of the bees and flowers, looks like a great spot for a walk. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

Soldier beetles are always at it, they are mad for love! Very muggy here today, but I see the rampant buddleia at my flat has a few small torts visiting, and lots of bees.

Crafty Green Poet said...

thanks eileen (they're hoverflies not bees though)

Simon, yes you're right about the soldier beetles!

Caroline Gill said...

Some lovely sightings, Juliet, and thank you for the 'heads up' about the FB group.

Crafty Green Poet said...

Thanks Caroline and it's a very good FB group, very helpful!

Anonymous said...

those wheel fungi and gorgeous :D

RG said...

Wow - our big Linden was all done about 1 1/2 weeks ago .. we have an early and hot summer here!

Nice photos!

Crafty Green Poet said...

Hi Gabrielle - they are aren't they!

Rabbits' Guy - ours are usually earlier too, but we're having a cool and late summer

Ian Doyle said...

Nice photos.

Donna said...

Beautiful images....we are now dry so no fungi, but I hope maybe more butterflies.