View allAll Photos Tagged gwt
Finally, a water vole! This one spotted the theiving male blackbird and charged in at full speed. The blackbird may be bigger, but the water vole is heavier. The blackbird didn't stand its ground.
Well, it was sunny on Wednesday. I wish it had been for my walk on Saturday, but never mind. The lizard has lifted its feet of the ground so as to get its belly more against the warm wood of the stump.
Dixton Meadows GWT Reserve, Sept 2021.
About as close as I've chosen to be to these fantastic insects...
Much smaller than the zebra spider, this is another species assocated with buildings, though usually high up and often on roofs.
Pennine Leyland PS1 reg no GWT 318, Burlingham body.
Introduced September 1947.
Withdrawn January 1960.
Photographer Bob Mack
Seen at Skipton Bus Station.
Four views of the same group of plants at Magor Marsh. Having taken the shots I was struck by how different the plant, Cuckoo flower or Lady's Smock, looks depending on how you view it, and thus this set arose.
Pulling back a little gives a view of the landscape.
Al at Pentwyn Farm in the haymeadow, where we went to photograph orchids and other things botanical.
Not quite as cute as a few of my recent baby animal shots, but I like it anyway. Legspan not much more than the width of my finger.
So, you've met this gorgeous young thing, She's newly-pupated, irridescent green, has mesmeriing red compound eyes, and the most fabulous pair of halteres. What do you do? Well, as it is Flyday night, you take her out dinner, to the hottest, (well, warmest) and freshest place in town. All organic too, so you look even greener than you normally do.
It can't fail.
Have a great Flyday everyone! HFDF!
Today I led a guided walk for the Gwent Wildlife Trust. The Trust's theme for this year is 'Hidden Gems', and Henllys bog reserve is certainly a little gem. It is also well hidden, being notoriously difficult to find. Even people who have been there before have failed to find it subsequently.
This is a shot of the seven hardy attendees, plus me as the fat bloke in the hat in the middle. The shot was taken by Gwent Wildlife Trust reserves officer Richard Bakere who was the staff representative and who shared his knowledge of the management of the site.
The meadows are currently full of this wonderful plant, which parasitiezes grass, thereby reducing its vigour and allowing other plants to flourish.
GWR Castle HST set with 43094 leading 43005 at Gloucester Yard on a Doncaster to Bristol move, appropriately passing a rake of Castle Cement wagons. 2019-02-23
First submission to the group. An unfortunate fly found today at Magor marsh SSSI that has been killed by an entomopathgenic (insect-killing) fungus. The fungus gets into the insect and then grows, eventually causing it to seek out the tops of plant stems, where it clings on fast, and dies. The fungus then bursts through the body wall and releases spores, which because the insect is high up get carried away on the breeze to seek new hosts.
Today, for Fly day Friday, I announce with great pleasure (and minimal expense) a performance by the world-renowned Dipteran Dance Team (DDT) of their famous "Stuck in a barn dance", performed at the Pentwyn Farm medieval barn, Monmouthshire.
I visited this Glos Wildlife Trust reserve in the Cotswolds, which was chosen as one of the release sites for the once extinct Large Blue. After a shakey start there is now hope the population will increase. This gorgeous female was wafting her pheramones about to attract a male! Daneway Banks, GWT reserve, Gloucestershire, UK. 2012-06-20.
PS: I've been out of action for a few weeks [in case you wondered;o)] my PC went bang and had to get it repaired - new mother board and hard drive [expensive; ouch!!]
A long jawed spider held in my fingers by one leg. Note that it is making no attempt to bite me, despite its very large fangs.
Fleabane, but I was reminded of an orrery when i saw this, and liked the effect.
Seen at Dixton Embankment Gwent Wildlife Trust reserve.
Two crimson waxcaps, looking a bit battered. Some Hebridean sheep have been introduced to the reserve for winter grazing, and many of the fungi were looking a bit worse for wear as a cosequence.
Probably a larva. Almost certainly of some sort of fly, and it wriggled a bit, so not totally rigid. Posted because of the nice colour.
Gwent Wildlife Trust have put up a new donations box at Magor Marsh reserve, and I was delighted to see that they were using one of my water vole pictures from last year. I gave permission previously, and they have credited me.
I'm pleased.
Same specimens as the next shot, from below. I suspect that these fungi are rather old and their appearance is not typical.
Posed in front of the former depot of Fretwell, Bentley (taken over by Dearneways), GWT 235J is a short Leyland Leopard with Plaxton Elite coachwork new in 1971. It would pass to SYPTE in 1981 and receive fleet number 1025.
DCC Archives
Back Row: Councillor GWT Christie; Deputy Mayor, HIs Worship the Mayor, Mr CG Skeggs, JP; Mr AK Carr, Town Clerk
Middle Row: Councillors BK Arnold; MRD Guest; IW McMeeking, JP; RF Walls
Front Row: Councillors MRS Archer; EJ McLean, OBE; M Joel, QSO, ED; I Williams, OBE, JP; TKS Sidey, CMG, JJ Herd; Sir James Barnes, MEB, JP