Another white

It was three years ago that I saw my first green veined white in my garden. And this year one has arrived again. The date is only 8 days earlier this time.

It settled on a particularly pretty coloured columbine flower so I couldn't resist another shot!

It's been a good year for butterflies so far in this little patch.

Another chaser

I watched another broad bodied chaser which had just emerged from its nymph yesterday.

The wings were not yet pumped up and it was clinging to the empty shell of its previous body. (left)












Two hours later, it was just about ready to fly but the body colours still had to develop fully. That would happen over the following few days.

Chasing the damsels?

There are about 25 damselfly exuviae on the iris stem in the pond. But, more interesting, are my first two broad bodied chaser exuviae. (One shown right). They are twice the size of the common darter ones I found there last year.







The second picture is a freshly emerged large red damselfly with some small exuviae in the background.


It looks like there are plenty of damsels for the chaser to chase!

Back to the woods

I made another visit to the wood today. The bluebells still looked gorgeous but now the light was dappled shade. The leaves are opening on the trees. It will soon get quite dark.




There were a few more orchids by the stream and now some wild garlic flowers have put in an appearance. (right)