The marvellous meadows were calling me today! So out across the flatter part of the Country Park where the grasses have turned brown and the Black Knapweed was taking pride of place, a gorgeous purple flower head, looking quite thistle like, but not spiky!
The yellow flowers also showing, especially the Fleabane, with its close centre and almost grey furry leaves. Ragwort also growing well alongside as is Tall Melilot.
In the distance the rusty coloured shape of a Roe Deer stood out against the pale grass of Coltsfoot, Crested Dog’s Tail, Yorkshire Fog and Smooth Meadow Grass.
On closer inspection a Great Green Bush-cricket was crawling up the stem of a Tall Fescue, while Dark Bush-cricket were clambering and hopping over the dark leaves of Garlic Mustard, which was also full of holes caused by some insect or other munching on them.
Climbing over the hedges a mass of Wild Clematis (also known as Old Man’s Beard or Traveller’s Joy) covered in pale cream flowers, unfortunately it has very powerful and sturdy stems which during its rambling pull down fences – which is why I spent the next hour of the morning capturing Hereford cattle and returning them to a more secure field (hopefully).
Trotting back – as I was by now late, I disturbed a Rabbit which turned its little white tail and scuttled back into the Bramble scrub.
More flowers to discover and enjoy include Red Bartsia, and Small Scabious plus the very low growing Squinancywort, Eyebright and Wild Thyme.
Beware while admiring these not to kneel on the Stemless Thistle, the purple thistle head in flower on some, but those without, are traps as the leaves are covered in spiky prickles!
A Six-spot Burnet Moth, Gatekeepers and Meadow Brown butterflies all in flight.