Back to Summer.

 With most of my posts recently being from some very special trips, I realise I missed quite a few of my special local days that hold some great memories, and some notable sightings and photos.

Going all the way back to mid June, when the weather was particularly good I had several days close together when things went rather well. Including a walk to my local meadow that I monitor for wildlife. In just a very short time there I managed to get a few worthwhile photos. Nothing particularly rare, but some extremely fresh individuals of both Comma and Small and Large Skipper.

Comma that posed well twice for me.

Male Small Skipper.

Male Large Skipper.

The attractive and delicate Grass Vetchling.

The next day I was doing a butterfly survey in a local woodland, when I spotted a female Honey Buzzard flying overhead. These birds are gradually increasing in number locally, but are still considered pretty scarce, so was very pleasing to see.

Female Honey Buzzard.

This woodland is also good for dragonflies and damselflies. There were several Beautiful Demoiselles flying with males holding territory.

Male Beautiful Demoiselle.

My visit also coincided with the first Silver-washed Fritillaries on the wing. These very large butterflies are spectacular when very fresh, and it was good to see so many fresh ones flying up and down the rides.

Male Silver-washed Fritillary.

Near the large pond there were many damselflies, with some mating couples of both Azure and Large Red Damselflies.

Mating Azure Damselflies.

Whilst admiring a very nice Common Spotted Orchid I noticed that a Crab Spider had caught a hoverfly for its lunch.

An unlucky Hoverfly in the jaws of a Crab Spider.

On another day that week David and I went to look for the beautiful Scarlet Tiger, a moth that I've been following now for some years. I have always struggled getting a fully open wing with the scarlet hindwings showing. This one had almost certainly just emerged and possibly hadn't even had its first flight. That may well be why it behaved so well by showing off its beautiful colours.

Scarlet Tiger.