Making the Most of the Sunshine

It was sunny and warm and the insects were making the most of it.  By now many of the Speckled Wood butterflies are looking a little worse for wear, but they are still to be found in the sunny glades around the reserve.

And talking of butterflies, the surveys carried out by John, throughout the summer, have now been completed.  The results have been posted to the recorder for VC65.

Bees were also making the most of the sunshine.

Our hive bees had not been too busy although some were returning with pollen and doing their waggle dance.  Suddenly there were more bees outside and they appeared to be very agitated.  From a safe distance it did look as though they were attacking an intruder.  Close examination of the photos showed them to be defending their hive against a wasp.

It soon got the message, 'no free food in here'.

Even the plants were enjoying the sunshine and making fantastic reflections on the lake.

Fishermen always talk of the giant fish that got away, well photographers also talk about the brilliant photo, that for many reasons did not come out quite as expected!   Spotted through the undergrowth, right at the far side of the pond was a dragonfly.  Zoom set to full and click.  Great photo!  A pat on the back for the photographer.  Downloaded and double checked and the fantstic photo, through the vegetation was actually shadows of the grasses on a stalk.  It is even in the middle of the photo!

Later I did manage to catch the dragonfly further along the bank.  She was egg laying.  

Our Water Voles have competition for their apples.  Wasps have found them.

Having watched one cow on the television in the centre, and a little concerned that the other one was not around, a visit to the hide was needed.   They were soon spotted in the long grass, enjoying the warmth of the autumn sun.