Looking Towards the Quarry, Liddesdale

Chicory

What is this long-legged insect?

Speedwell

Yellow Flag

This, on the Other Hand, Be Rowan

Where Have All the Butterflies Gone?

Went up Nun’s Walk today, high above River Tweed, to see if there were any butterflies on the masses of buddleias growing there, and apart from one cabbage white, nada… this photograph was taken a year or so ago when there were peacocks, red admirals, tortoishells, painted ladies, not in profusion, but still enough to be noticeable.  But this July the buddleias are deserted, apart from some bees. I remember twenty years back the buddleia in the garden being totally covered with butterflies – this was in the town, too. What has happened this year, and what does it portend for next spring and summer?

Cherry?

It has been pointed out to me on Facebook, I think correctly, that this is NOT a rowan berry, and the person who pointed it out (thank you, Andie) is, I think correct.  I think the leaves are those of a wild cherry tree. I wasn’t paying due attention.

What Cranesbill?

I found this flower growing along an old railway line. It is not the normal deep violet blue Cranesbill – can anyone enlighten me as to its name? The petals were actually slightly pinker than in the photograph, and the seed heads were not very pronounced. Could it be Hedge Cranesbill or Bloody Cranesbill? I can’t remember ever coming across this particular flower before, and there was just one small clump of them, no others, in a wooded area, where many wild orchids also flourish.

Liddesdale, July

Hare in the Garth