One of the teenage Moorhens, long neglected by its parents because they were attending to their younger brood, was getting a bit of affection from a parent. The fact that the parent was getting a meal by delousing it did not lessen a tender moment.
One Tawny Owlet was in nearly the same place as yesterday, but this time it was possible to get a view of it from under the chestnut tree.
The two adult Little Owls were in their usual places, the female in her lime tree ...
... and the male in his chestnut.
They called to each other. Although they prefer separate trees, they remain mates for life.
This is one of this season's new Black-Headed Gulls, only a few months old. It will gradually become less brown, and will finally have full adult plumage by the winter of 2015.
Some Six-Spot Burnet Moths (Zygaena filipendulae) were feeding on the thistles in the reed bed at the east end of the Serpentine. The insect on the other side of the flower was a bumble bee, which advanced and pushed it off.
This female dragonfly was laying eggs on a submerged twig in the Long Water near the Italian Garden.
I think she is one of the familiar Black-Tailed Skimmers (Orthetrum cancellatum), because males of that species were paying attention to her. But she looks yellowish-green and brown rather than the expected yellow and black. That may be caused by the greenish light in this leafy corner.
Update: Africa Gómez has kindly told me that it's an Emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator).
Your dragonfly looks like a female Emperor, it has a curious face with an upturned 'nose', an awesome beast to behold http://www.arkive.org/emperor-dragonfly/anax-imperator/image-A6558.html
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. I had actually seen a picture of a female Emperor on the British Dragonfly Society page and had not realised it was the same, because the lighting of the two pictures is so different.
DeleteHow do i find the trees of the tawny and little owls?
ReplyDeleteTawny Owl: walk along south edge of leaf yard (the enclosure that has Peter Pan on its lake front), heading west. Beyond the corner there is a tarmac path. Cross it and continue on a path trodden in the grass, slightly to your right. After 30 yards you will find yourself between two chestnut trees. The recently photographed young owl is usually in the right one, but may be in the left one (or, of course, neither).
DeleteLittle Owl: at the southeast corner of the leaf yard there is an old battered chestnut tree. Look for the next one, a few yards away to the southwest. Then look for the one after that, a slightly greater distance and up the hill a bit. It has brambles round its base. This is where the male owl is. Look into the tree from the north or northwest side. Remember, Little Owls are very small and well camouflaged. The female may be anywhere in a big lime tree between here and the southwest corner of the leaf yard but is very hard to see among the leaves.
Thanks Ralph that is a great help. Are the chestnut trees you refer to, sweet or horse?
ReplyDeleteLorraine
Sweet and very old, rather like me.
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DeleteThanks, i will go with sweet rather than old. Loving the blog. Lorraine
ReplyDelete