Middle Street 19-02-2023
As the temperature had risen to above 10 and as the sun was shining I decided that even though I was still only mid-February it would be worth a look in at Middle Street. Even though I drove over I forewent the usual accompanying music of Maiden so as I strode through the gate instead of the usual ringing in my ears I could hear the plinking of the cooling engine and ‘cooing’ from some of the local Wood Pigeons. I walked across the middle path scanning to ‘the end’ on my left and the edge of the football pitch to my right with no luck. This continued when I reached the Bank path and examined first the End and then Dip3 and Dip2. All was quiet and only the odd yellow Celandine or smattering of white Daisies broke the depressing monotony of greys, browns and dull greens of the ‘winter growth’.
As I was checking the side of the Bank Path on my way to Dip1 there was a flash of colour so different from what I’d seen so far that it almost hurt my eyes. It was a Small Tort sunning itself. I tried for a few shots but I was a little rusty so it moved on, luckily not too far on so I pressed my luck a second time. I sometimes find myself wondering if these gorgeous butterflies are our reward for surviving the gloom and drear of winter?
Once I stood back and marvelled at it, drinking in the colours, it seemed to get a little subconscious so up and away it went. As it flew along the brim of Dip2 another Small Tort intercepted it and they locked together in a bitter dispute, spiralling upwards into the heavens. At the point when they were only just visible they broke apart and drifted down separately. One came back to down to the Bank only slightly further on whilst the other returned to Dip2. I choose to try for this one and got lucky as it appeared to be the second individual and then back in Dip 1 the first Small Tort became much more amenable and so too did the second. It was almost as if they were egging each other on locked in a battle of one-up-man ship.
Shots in the can I carried on round to the old Hotspot which was pretty overgrown with the dried up pond now impenetrable unless I buy a Bill Hook with me and further on I went round past the reed beds. The Reed Buntings were flitting about and the tinkling calls of Goldfinches were lent some percussive beats as a Cetti’s ripped the air asunder with tis staccato syncopation. I’d ended up back at the Bank after a fruitless trawl though Dip1 and the/a Small Tort was still flitting about along its length. As I strode down into Dip2 there was a flash of vivid lemon and so I added my third species to the yearly Tally. I watched as it fluttered tantalisingly over some Primroses but it was just flattering to deceive as it swiftly crossed the river! During its flight I’d tried for some of the usual ‘First Brimstone shots of the year’ and this came out as the usual blurry yellow blobs taken in Sports mode from too far away. Still at least I’d seen one.
I caught up with another (or possibly the same one) a little later at the End. Here it actually went down a couple of times so I was able to get a few closer ‘grab shots’ but really what it wanted to do was frustrate me. To this end if flew to the boundary hedge where it would pop up from the neighbours side, make as if to land before disappearing back to the other side safe on private property.
Giving up and leaving it to its malarkey I left the confines of Middle Street and moved onto the corner of Upper Street. The little patch of green here has always been good – often offering the same set of butterflies as the reserve only in a microcosm. So it proved today with a Small Tort sitting on the bank. I got my dose of shots just in time as some passing cyclists sent it packing never to return. Chuffed I strolled back to the car – it seemed that the season was underway but whether it would keep going remained to be seen. The danger of a ‘second winter’ is always possible and when it comes to the weather who can really tell what’s going to happen – certainly not the weather people ;-). For now the three species would suffice and I returned to waiting patiently, camera at the ready…
Cool February
With Torts and Lemon yellow
Delightful to see
As I was checking the side of the Bank Path on my way to Dip1 there was a flash of colour so different from what I’d seen so far that it almost hurt my eyes. It was a Small Tort sunning itself. I tried for a few shots but I was a little rusty so it moved on, luckily not too far on so I pressed my luck a second time. I sometimes find myself wondering if these gorgeous butterflies are our reward for surviving the gloom and drear of winter?
Once I stood back and marvelled at it, drinking in the colours, it seemed to get a little subconscious so up and away it went. As it flew along the brim of Dip2 another Small Tort intercepted it and they locked together in a bitter dispute, spiralling upwards into the heavens. At the point when they were only just visible they broke apart and drifted down separately. One came back to down to the Bank only slightly further on whilst the other returned to Dip2. I choose to try for this one and got lucky as it appeared to be the second individual and then back in Dip 1 the first Small Tort became much more amenable and so too did the second. It was almost as if they were egging each other on locked in a battle of one-up-man ship.
Shots in the can I carried on round to the old Hotspot which was pretty overgrown with the dried up pond now impenetrable unless I buy a Bill Hook with me and further on I went round past the reed beds. The Reed Buntings were flitting about and the tinkling calls of Goldfinches were lent some percussive beats as a Cetti’s ripped the air asunder with tis staccato syncopation. I’d ended up back at the Bank after a fruitless trawl though Dip1 and the/a Small Tort was still flitting about along its length. As I strode down into Dip2 there was a flash of vivid lemon and so I added my third species to the yearly Tally. I watched as it fluttered tantalisingly over some Primroses but it was just flattering to deceive as it swiftly crossed the river! During its flight I’d tried for some of the usual ‘First Brimstone shots of the year’ and this came out as the usual blurry yellow blobs taken in Sports mode from too far away. Still at least I’d seen one.
I caught up with another (or possibly the same one) a little later at the End. Here it actually went down a couple of times so I was able to get a few closer ‘grab shots’ but really what it wanted to do was frustrate me. To this end if flew to the boundary hedge where it would pop up from the neighbours side, make as if to land before disappearing back to the other side safe on private property.
Giving up and leaving it to its malarkey I left the confines of Middle Street and moved onto the corner of Upper Street. The little patch of green here has always been good – often offering the same set of butterflies as the reserve only in a microcosm. So it proved today with a Small Tort sitting on the bank. I got my dose of shots just in time as some passing cyclists sent it packing never to return. Chuffed I strolled back to the car – it seemed that the season was underway but whether it would keep going remained to be seen. The danger of a ‘second winter’ is always possible and when it comes to the weather who can really tell what’s going to happen – certainly not the weather people ;-). For now the three species would suffice and I returned to waiting patiently, camera at the ready…
Cool February
With Torts and Lemon yellow
Delightful to see
Wales in the Half Term
It was getting to that time of the year. When leaves being tossed about by the breeze need to be checked out, when the pulse quickens on the rare days when the sun shines through the gloom and when my camera is carried wherever I go. However it was also getting to that time of the year when we pack up and head to the Outlaws in West Wales – so when I looked at the long range forecast I wasn’t surprised to see that Salisbury was forecast sunny and relatively warm days – this was a prime example of the Law of Sod. So come Saturday we dropped the cat off at his Hotel and headed West accompanied by the rain clouds which opened slightly as we crossed the bridge. I’d brought my camera anyway…
On the first proper day we took a quick trip down to Aberaeron to have a look at the sea and gaze at the lines of pastel painted picture postcard houses. Despite the sun shining down it was still cold and the breeze tried its best to cut through our coats so our hats and gloves were very welcome. As we started back a Grey Wagtail and then a Dipper both flew up river and s escaped my lens. However an odd looking Mandarin caught my eye. The orange ‘sails’ were missing as were the orange cheeks but all the rest seemed present and correct so it could have been a partial leucistic individual. Once we got back and were sorting out some bits and bobs for my Outlaws I spotted my first butterfly of the year – a Red Admiral – which flew across the cul-de-sac and up and over one of the neighbouring bungalows.
I didn’t think much more about it until the following afternoon when I was helping move some furniture out of their Summer House when the same or another Red Admiral flew up from its basking spot on the side house. It went up and along the roof of the bungalow before disappearing down the side path. Once the furniture was in I grabbed my camera and made my way out to the cul-de-sac. Scanning about I couldn’t believe my look when I spotted a dark triangle clinging as flat as could be to the side of a bungalow. Unfortunately it was on the other side of the front garden and out of reach of my lens. However luck struck again and as I stared longingly at the just out of reach butterfly I caught sight of the owner through the gate. So I called through and explained who I was and asked if I could use their path to get a few shots? They were more than happy for me to and so thanking them profusely I nipped round the corner and managed a few shots before the butterfly took to the wing.
A little later while waiting for the Outlaws to get ready for a walk/push up the Lane I spotted the/another Red Admiral again. This time it was on the neighbours garage wall and as they were out I crossed the drive and got some even closer shots.
After this I carried the camera with me as I pushed my Mother Outlaw in her wheelchair but there were no more butterflies around but some interesting ‘double’ Snowdrops caught my eye instead. The following day a visit to Aberystwyth was planned so I crossed my fingers for more of the same luck wise!
A Red Admiral
Flew across the cul-de-sac
On to my Year List
On the first proper day we took a quick trip down to Aberaeron to have a look at the sea and gaze at the lines of pastel painted picture postcard houses. Despite the sun shining down it was still cold and the breeze tried its best to cut through our coats so our hats and gloves were very welcome. As we started back a Grey Wagtail and then a Dipper both flew up river and s escaped my lens. However an odd looking Mandarin caught my eye. The orange ‘sails’ were missing as were the orange cheeks but all the rest seemed present and correct so it could have been a partial leucistic individual. Once we got back and were sorting out some bits and bobs for my Outlaws I spotted my first butterfly of the year – a Red Admiral – which flew across the cul-de-sac and up and over one of the neighbouring bungalows.
I didn’t think much more about it until the following afternoon when I was helping move some furniture out of their Summer House when the same or another Red Admiral flew up from its basking spot on the side house. It went up and along the roof of the bungalow before disappearing down the side path. Once the furniture was in I grabbed my camera and made my way out to the cul-de-sac. Scanning about I couldn’t believe my look when I spotted a dark triangle clinging as flat as could be to the side of a bungalow. Unfortunately it was on the other side of the front garden and out of reach of my lens. However luck struck again and as I stared longingly at the just out of reach butterfly I caught sight of the owner through the gate. So I called through and explained who I was and asked if I could use their path to get a few shots? They were more than happy for me to and so thanking them profusely I nipped round the corner and managed a few shots before the butterfly took to the wing.
A little later while waiting for the Outlaws to get ready for a walk/push up the Lane I spotted the/another Red Admiral again. This time it was on the neighbours garage wall and as they were out I crossed the drive and got some even closer shots.
After this I carried the camera with me as I pushed my Mother Outlaw in her wheelchair but there were no more butterflies around but some interesting ‘double’ Snowdrops caught my eye instead. The following day a visit to Aberystwyth was planned so I crossed my fingers for more of the same luck wise!
A Red Admiral
Flew across the cul-de-sac
On to my Year List
