Friday 28 August 2009

A Wiltshire walk - part two

Carrying on up the hill, the only sounds to accompany me were the buzz of insects and the mournful cries of a family of Buzzards. I love that Buzzard call, for me it feels like the sound of wilderness even though they are not really birds of remote places.Some more sharing of nectar going on here with several bees and a Peacock butterfly and just about hidden from view, some sort of Skipper, all intently feeding on this Cotton Thistle.At the top of the hill there is a small wood where I managed to see some different butterflies. This Silver-washed Fritillary was looking pretty ragged. It was a little late in the season for them so I felt lucky to get to see any.Another Silver-washed Fritillary, again not in the best of condition! I was really pleased to come across a Wall Brown butterfly, it's not one I get to see every year. It's not a spectacular butterfly but I love its subtle marble like markings.There were plenty of Speckled Wood butterflies chasing each other around the trees. This one stayed still long enough for me to get a shot off.It was time to head back down the hill to the car and home. On the way down, I found a male Yellowhammer taking time to take a drink during the heat of the day.I know I've posted Painted Lady butterflies recently, but they've been so plentiful this year and that gorgeous patterning is hard to resist!I'll finish of with a photo of this curious cow. I don't know what type it is, but it was a pretty little thing (well actually it was quite big )! I'm glad there was a fence between me and it! (-:

20 comments:

Dog Trot Farm said...

Jenny, are you sure that isn't a steer? Lovely butterflies! It feels like a fall day here in Maine lots of crickets singing!

Jenny said...

Hi Julie...A-hem! Er......yes, I think that you're right there! Thanks! (-: I did this walk back in July and now, at the end of August it is like autumn here too. Wet and chilly and windy.

FAB said...

Hi Jenny. Another very nice selection of flutters, including the Wall Brown, which I haven't seen for a long time. FAB

Anonymous said...

Another lovely part post Jen. Thanks for posting this. Buzzard calls remind me of my youth in Somerset where as you know it was and still is a common bird.
A lovely Wall Brown, I should be so lucky, they do have a nice wing pattern.
On closer examination that pure bred Hereford is a Cow, I think I can just see milking equipment, of the relevant kind {:)

Kelly said...

Gosh.....beautiful scenery and butterflies. I love those gently rolling hills. It must be a fabulous walk. The cow is so pretty. There is just something about a cow's face I love!

Mary said...

What wonderful butterflies! The Painted Lady is the only one that I've seen of these. Maybe if you take enough photos of cows you'll learn to like them better :-)That first shot of the hillsides is very inviting.

Jenny said...

Hi Frank, yes it was a good day for butterflies and that Wall Brown was definitely a bonus for me.

Hi Roy, yes when I enlarged it, I think I can just about see the milking equipment (nice way to put it) (-:

Hi Kelly, yes it is a lovely place to walk when I want to get away form some peace. I do like the look of cows, but only from the other side of a fence. Wimpy I know! (-: We have had quite a few deaths from cows over here, so caution is sometimes needed.

Hi Mary, yes that is one that you have over there too I guess. I'm glad I have made a friend in Roy who can tell me what the cows are when I ever do photograph them! (-:

Rural Rambler said...

Beautiful Wiltshire Walk Part Two! The butterflies are just so wonderful to see especially the tattered ones, just have a thing for them. Top photo, just pretty country. And I have to agree I think that white faced Hereford is a dainty lady :)

Rural Rambler said...

She has pretty white eyelashes too!

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed with the butterfly shots in the last two walks. Thanks for taking us along.

Jenny said...

Hi Pix, I'll have to remember that about tatty butterflies, I almost didn't put them in the post! Good spot with the sweet white eyelashes!

Hi Steve, thanks for that. You're welcome along anytime! (-:

Eve said...

Well that is one cute "cow" Jenny! I think she or he might have a fancy to you!! These are wonderful pictures and I love the butterflies.
Woops...I just read the expert on cows comment. SHE has taken a liking to you for sure. I bet you could have walked right up to her and gave her a big hug!!

Bill S. said...

Great photos of the butterflies. Isn't nature wonderful to study and to photograph.

John said...

Wonderful Butterfly Photo's Jen, despite our awful Summer they have given me a lot of pleasure, will never tire of the Painted Lady Butterflies. What a lovely walk you had. Thank you for sharing this with us.

John

Jenny said...

Hi Evie, nice as SHE is with those lovely white eyelashes, I think I'll leave her on the other side of the fence! (-:

Hi Bill, thanks for dropping in on my blog and taking the time to comment. Yes, since doing this blog and getting into photography, I find I look at nature in a diffferent way.

Hi John, thanks for that. Yes, even though it's been a patchy summer I think the butterflies have done pretty well, specially after the disaster of last year!

Chris said...

hi Jenny,
It looks like it is the time to post butterfly and insects at the moment and that our birds friends are hard to see! At least you got a yellowhammer, here the trees are almost empty except for the redpoll and redwings.. The rest is almost gone!! Beautiful pictures you did!

myonlyphoto said...

Hi Jenny, just looking around. Arn't the butterfly beautiful God's creations. Beautiful captures. Anna :)

myonlyphoto said...

Jenny I got interrupted, but I also wanted to say that your blog header is amazing. Did you actually captured that photo. So so cool. Anna :)

Jenny said...

Hi Chris, yes, it's not the best time of year for birds, though autumn migration should be picking up soon!

Hi Anna, thank you for stopping in on my blog and commenting. Yes, I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time for the female Roe Deer photo. It doesn't happen often enough! (-:

Quiet Paths said...

I love that nectar sharing! Wonderful close butterfly pics, Jenny. I love that half interested look on the cow! All in all a pleasant time.

PS thank you for the kind comment just now. I'm afraid I've already fiddled with that piece since you read it! I wasn't exactly content with it.