I can't decide if these are a small white or a large white. Short of getting my ruler out and measuring whether it's 5 or 6cm wingspan I can't really decide which one it would be. To photograph it milling around the black medick and feeding was a pleasure.




 Shabby old peacock. Is it rude to call a butterfly moth-eaten?


Above, this tiny butterfly was fluttering here and there, leading me on a merry dance until finally settling down to land. However, none of the images in my book look quite like it. The closest I'd say is a gatekeeper which ought to have a twin eyespot though this has just one... No, wait, second thoughts it could be a small heath. In fact, I'm almost sure of it.
Speckled wood. I thought this might be a variation but in fact it's just a lovely clear pattern in good light. I do love it's scalloping to the edge of wings.
Take care,
Sophie

The long weekend was a puzzler, with two hot days and a wintry one. I'd set my heart on getting the allotment all up to date with weeding (impossible- ish) but the gales and intermittent drizzle put me right off yesterday. I finally finished up my painting of the hawthorn tree in the garden which has been two years in the making. Yes, that's how long I'd put off getting it completed, shocking. There's a part of me which is convinced I want to paint. I do, I really do BUT I have not only no idea how to paint but also I feel guilty about wasting time on that that I could or should be spending outdoors.
Yesterday, with it's horrible weather on a mid May day with the tree in full blossom, the way it was when I started the painting two years ago was the perfect time to dedicate to a little artistry. In fact it took virtually no time at all to finish that one so I decided to start another much smaller piece but that's another story.
Here's some pictures from some day recently.

 Yellow archangel

 Super speedwell and greater stitchwort - love the blue with the white, so pretty.

 Trees growing out of trees
 Chickweed and below red campion

 Thick sleeves of hawthorn blossom

 The first dog rose out! You saw it here first.
 Curious lunches webbed to branches?
 Bluebells and views

 Hedge mustard putting in an appearance.
 Vetch. Common.

 Common bird's foot trefoil above and below possibly black bryony with those glossy heart shaped leaves.

Black medick above and lovely to see red clover below though sadly such a notable lack of this in years before.

Take care,
Sophie

There's something joyful about the return of annual companions; in the spring it's lesser celandine, primroses, greater stitchwort, speedwell and red campion to name but a few. Lovely to see their return to glory each year.
The scent of cow parley cheering the lanes as it shimmies in the breeze.
 Who cares for dock? Not many, it's drab in flower.
Garlic mustard is booming here.

 White dead nettles are rife

 They are pretty fascinating up close. Some have a blush pink top to their white flowers...


 Ribwort plantain...

Herb robert, so delicate.
Must be honeysucle below.

Oaks draping flowers everywhere
Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Who knows what and where Monday may bring us...

Take care,
Sophie

Hello everyone! It seems like ages ago since shorts and a light top were suitable attire yet it's probably a mere week. No wonder the poor plants are having a time of it; cold to hold then back to cold again. With a frost last night there may be a few casualties at the allotment in the form of tender flowers. In the midst of the lovely warmth I was duped into thinking we were out of the frost risk but nope. And enforced covering at the allotment has been a nuisance for the possible plants and a bit sad for those who are already on location and cannot be protected. Please don't die! I'll cover more from the allotment soon. With long weekend temperatures set to be both 22 for Friday then back to 9 for Sunday it's a bit of bumpy ride yet to come so looks like I'll hold off planting out anything else for another week.

These pictures were probably from a couple of weeks ago though it no longer feels like it matters. Much as I like to wear this loose top it prefers to drape at will off one or both shoulders; simply refusing to stay put for any length of time at all. Though the sun was warm, it did feel reassuring to keep a little coverage to my upper arms which tend to feel the cold first.
It's a butterfly print! Perhaps it looked convincing as while I stood there a few pretty orange tips flew along the hedge (though not landing on me as I would probably shriek if they came near my head!)
Hurrah for solid ground underfoot and being able to wear my boots of choice rather than getting stuck in the mud as we have for the whole of horrible winter!
Time is passing, I'm asking could this be real?

The only real thing I'm yearning for with a lifted lockdown is to be able to walk further and wherever and whenever I please. And quite frankly I'm permitted my daily walk at present so I'm cashing in on it when I can without apology.

Take care,
Sophie