Tiny Things

The number of times I have prepared the camera and crept up on a 'something', to find that it is a tiny dollop of mud or a bird dropping or a piece of a leaf is considerable.  Then you do find some little things lurking around.  Rails of bridges are loved by any number of tiny creatures.  This spider was on the bridge over the lake.

Whilst down on Risedale Beck an instar of a shieldbug was found, almost camouflged against the lichens.

There are names on the map throughout the reserve, Risedale Beck, the moor, Plover's Pool and the wetland for example, but then there are the names that have been aquired.  Kidney Spot Corner for one.  The reason being that there have been Kidney Spot ladybirds on the Ash trees on the corner!  Ladybird numbers have been very low over the last two years so it is always a pleasure to see a Kidney Spot back where it should be, at Kidney Spot Corner.

Bees are always busy and Dandelions provide them with food.  This one was covered in pollen.

It does not take long before the golden yellow flower has developed its round fluffy seed head.  Gentle breezes or blowing on the seed head, a dandelion clock, to find what time it is, soon disperse the seeds.

Rowan flowers are often covered by bees and you can see this one has a large pollen sac.