Rain most of the day.
Ignore the insects. These images are of the antennae. Ichneumons (right) often have very long antennae, as they use them to locate hosts for their eggs.
The stand of Greater Willowherb - Epilobium hirsutum - continues to spread along the ditch. From about 1 metre 3 years ago, it now covers around 50 metres, and has spread to two other locations.
I've mentioned the large proboscis on this Stiletto Fly several times. Turns out it's used for sucking nectar as well as juices from captured insects. I watched it visit every floret on this Creeping Thistle.
Leg 2 with a rainbow. The Willow grove can be seen in the middle ground, centre, and the Typha grows in the pale green field straight ahead and just to the left of the Willows.
One of the Phaonia flies. Compare with the Phaonia from October last year.
A ripe Raspberry. Yes, it was growing side-ways.
I'm giving a lecture on historic uses of plants in October, so I'll be trying out an ancient dye based on these.
Tutsan - Hypericum androseamum - has flowered. I'll also be covering medicinal plants, so you can be sure I'll mention the antiseptic and antibiotic properties of this plant. The name derives from the French 'Tout Sain', which means 'all healthy'. Rub a leaf on a scratch or cut and watch how fast it heals.
Bibio pomaceus is usually over and done in June. This must be a straggler (and was the only one I saw). A male.
Another shot of the Grass-veneer, showing how much the colour fades as the scales drop. That head looks almost bird-like.