This quite large butterfly is a long traveler (Vanessa (Cynthia) cardui). It migrates from north Africa and the Sahara all the way to north Europe and Sweden. In Swedish it is called “tistelfjäril”, translates to thistle butterfly. This is where I found it, in the flowering thistles where it lays its larvae. There are several subspecies and can be found on all continents except South America and Antartica.
Ha de Gött!
This purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is in Swedish called “Fackelblomster” that translates to “torch flower”. This flower grows in wet soil and like a purple torch lights up the sky.
Ha de Gött!
The insects are so very important for the biodiversity. They are also often very beautiful like the flowers they pollinate. They can also bug you. Buzzing around your ears when all you’re interested in is having a beer and a cozy blogg reading in the shade.
This beautiful little fellow is unknown to me. I think it is some kind horse-fly or even a small butterfly. The small ones is a small bee that can hoover in the air.
Don’t kill insects just because you can. They are needed for our survival. The more insects we exterminate the more pandemic’s will we see in the future. Ha de Gött!
Can’t have to many pictures of this beautiful flower, Campanula rotundifolia. Ha de Gött!
The serpent, adder, snake, viper, has many names and in many cultures a bad name. This is not a snake but a legless lizard. The slow worm (Anguis fragilis) is sometimes also called deaf adder or blind worm. The eyes are small but fully functional. It can be found, in several subspecies, all over Eurasia. In Swedish it’s called “Kopparödla” that translates to Copper lizard. Looking at the color the name makes perfect sense. It sometimes shed its tail as a defense. Don’t worry it grows back.
Speaking of snakes I cannot fail to mention the fantastic TV series Black Adder starring Rowan Atkinson from the 80:ties. The sidekick Baldrick played by Tony Robinson is, for me, the real hero. With a cunning plan, ha de Gött!
Yesterday morning I went for a walk in the forest to find some mushrooms. I decided to bring the camera. I was glad to see so many butterflies, but getting them to pose for the camera was quite a challenge. When they sit still on a flower to collect nectar with their proboscis they close their wings so you only see the backside. They open up to only to fly of. Patience needed but it is hard when the other insects in the forest take advantage of the situation and try to have a piece of you.
Trying to name the species prove to be even more difficult. There are almost 175 000 species identified all over the world. I think I’ve been able identify a Brimstone who refused to show its wings. Then the Small heath that was kind enough to spread its wings long enough for a picture. Also the Black-veined moth I think I nailed. If you know the name please leave a comment.
Spread your wings into the summer and ha de gött!
There is a Swedish expression “darra som ett asplöv” “tremble like an asp leaf”. It describes the aspen tree (Populus tremula) in an elegant way. The leafs from this fast growing tree easily trembles even in low wind speeds. The rustling sound has made me look out the window many times thinking it’s raining. It spreads with root sprouts up to forty meters from the parent tree, creating clones. The tree also spreads through pollination.
Sit in the shade and ha de Gött!
The orange day-lily (Hemerocallis fulva) are in full bloom. This year more than ever. Perhaps the warm weather does the trick. It comes originally from Asia but are now grown in many gardens around the world. Can be very tall, up to 1,5 meters. It has gone rouge and is now considered an invasive species. Oh yes, there is a human factor. Dumping them on the road side has given them the name ditch-lily where they spread and suffocates native species.
Always think twice before you dump, ha de Gött!
The little black and white grasshopper signed up, wanted to be a 'copper' to his dismay, all he got was a ticket had to go and see, the boring cricket
Hop on, hop off, ha de Gött!
For many people summer means lacy days in the sun or in the shade. But for the insects summer is a busy time. So also for this Small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae). It was a challenge to get a good shot as the wind was moving the flowers, while the butterfly collected nectar in super speed. Moving fast from one clover to another.
Ha de Gött!
UlleHaddock 