Sweat bee Halictus rubicundus

 This is the sweat bee Halictus rubicundus.  I've just added these images to the Other bees pages.  When I first saw one I though it was a hoverfly, then a wasp.  It was only when I found one in the garden and caught it in my net and saw the legs that I knew she must be a bee.  Those back legs are just fantastic for carrying pollen.  I realise now that the ones I'd seen when out with my dog had been heavily laden with pollen, and it was that that made them so visible.

The weather is getting colder and windier by the day.  I have to light the log fire every day now, but it is nice to come home from a long walk in the woods to sit and doze by the fire.

The purple cow

I never saw a purple cow

I never hope to see one;

But I can tell you, anyhow,

I'd rather see than be one.

G Burgess.

Hoverfly that looks like Bombus pascuorum

This hoverfly was foraging in the woods along with Bombus pascuorum, and at first glance could easily be mistaken for it.  I'd seen it many times before, but had never managed to get a good photograph of it.  This is the best I could do.  However when I got home and tried to identify it I realised I hadn't taken a very good photograph of the vital parts that distinguish this species - it has orange antennae - most other hoverflies have black or dark brown antennae.  Anyway at least I've got a photograph of it.  I set the camera to zoom and stood well back.  Before I was setting it to close up, as I do for bumblebees.  Bumblebees are so tolerant and will let you get within a cm before showing any signs of anger.

Welsh wave Venusia cambrica

Just added this image to the Geometridae page.  I spotted this moth in a next to a woodland path one morning.  Luckily I was able to photograph it before it moved off.

I've finally managed to get my onion sets planted, and we've even had a few minutes of watery sunshine.  I have yet to succeed in growing onions to anything bigger than the size of a marble, so we'll see what these winter onions will do.  There would be nothing in that bed at this time of year anyway, so even if they are not so big, it will be a bonus.

Mesembrina meridiana, large fly with yellow markings on face

 This is Mesembrina meridiana, a large fly in the Muscidae (house flies) family.  It has very distinctive yellow markings on is face.

 The photograph below shows the sticky pads on its feet, and the two claws that will help it cling to almost any surface.

Eudonia mercurella - obscure but common moth

 I photographed this moth months ago - way back in the spring, but I couldn't identify it.  Finally I now know what it is.  I'd seen a few on the walls of the house early in the morning.  I like its striped legs.

I was going to plant garlic today, but didn't have the time and the weather was bad anyway.  I must get it in soon though.  Apparently garlic must have a cold spell if it is to do well.  Last year I put mine in in the spring, and it was pathetic.  Now I know why.