High Heath in the morning and Bog in the afternoon.
Bright and sunny. Updated lichen definitions on May 23rd, 24th and 28th. One Small Copper.
I was hunting for Small Heath butterflies when this Small Copper stopped me in my tracks.
The grey underside is typical of Irish specimens.
I also saw this rather speckled moth, and it turns out that's what I've been following for a week or so, now. It's very well camouflaged on the dead Brambles. A Carpet Moth, I think.
I've
been showing the adults and eggs of the Orange Tip butterfly. This is the
larva. As a caterpillar it eats the seedpods which contain bitter-tasting
mustard oils. They retain this as a defence right through their adult life
as a butterfly. The specimen shown is about 3mm long.
There is a theory that the glandular hairs attract ants which protect the caterpillar, but it's not generally agreed.
I love the resilience and sheer persistence of some plants. This Brooklime was growing on a dry path instead of in water. The entire plant shown is about 15mm tall.
I think this is the Common Vetch. I haven't seen it before, but it looks right.
Growing on a verge to the north of town.
Also in the bog, I found this tiny (1cm. cap) mushroom. Spores rust and almond-shaped, so maybe Galerina sphagnorum.