Thursday, July 09, 2015

More Flowers

     As mentioned in my last post most birds are involved with procreation at this time of year, with photographic opportunities relatively scant unless one is near an expanse of water. So, I have focused my efforts of late on wildflowers and the results are shown below.
     Birdsfoot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus is not native to this area, but is widespread and irrevocably part of the flora now. It is quite incredible, really, how greatly immigrants to North America longed for the familiar plants of home and brought them here. Some are relatively innocuous, but others have become truly invasive and native vegetation and the wildlife it supports have suffered greatly as a result.



     Another introduced species which can be commonly found is Cow Vetch Vicia cracca.



     Even though North America has its own buttercup species, I suppose that nothing was considered quite as beautiful as the Common or Tall Buttercup Ranunculus acris and it too was introduced and has multiplied profusely.




     Chicory  Cichorium intybus was also imported from Europe, perhaps as an ingredient for coffee, and it too has become well established.



     The Red Osier Cornus stolonifera, a member of the dogwood family,  is native to the area (hooray!) and by now is sporting a full crop of berries.



     Queen Anne's Lace Daucus carota is very common and can be found in scrubby, weedy habitats throughout the region.



     Common Tansy Tanacetum vulgare is often located alongside Queen Anne's Lace.



     In the same locations one may also find Yarrow Achillea millefolium.



     Where there are flowers there are butterflies and this Red-spotted Purple Limenitis arthemis atyanax was in very poor condition. It is doubtful that it could function with that kind of wing damage and I suspect that it would quickly become a tasty snack for an insectivorous bird.




     The title of my blog is Travels with Birds and so no post would be complete without at least one picture of a bird; here is a Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias patrolling along the river's edge in Hawkesville.



     

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

10 comments:

  1. For a moment there I thought I was taking a walk down Pilling Lane.

    Good to hear that you're on the straight and narrow after your youthful exuberances. You need to be on your best behaviour when we let you into the UK.

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  2. Fantastic photos and details of all these wonderful flowers.
    Best regards, Synnöve

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  3. Depending on the weather and your location in a few weeks time you'll be able to reacquaint yourself with some of these wild flowers in their UK habitats.

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  4. Beautiful series, David. As being a birder it might be interesting for you to know that Queen Anne's Lace is called Bird's nest (Vogelnestje in Dutch) to the shape when the flower closes during maturation. Great shots of the details.
    My favorite picture is the Bumblebee and Chicory. Gr Jan W

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  5. Thanks for this great information, Jan. What an appropriate name. Any time now we should be able to get photographs of that stage of the flower's cycle.

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  6. Glorious series, David!

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  7. Nice shots - I think it is important to let yourself be distracted by things other than birds now and then!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  8. Hello David, beautiful pictures of the flowers.
    Also the butterflies are beautiful, that one is very damaged.
    Best regards, Irma

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  9. Beautiful pictures., David...We have some of those around here as well...Pa. Poor butterfly..looks like her narrowly escaped an attack already..

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  10. Nice variety of pics.. Happy weekend..

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