In line with my new policy of getting a little bit more exercise and at the same time making sure that The Princess also gets enough exercise, now that The Pirate is fast approaching thirteen years old, I took her out by herself this morning for a longer and faster walk than either of us have been used to lately. It went really well!
She’s a lazy dog. No, really, she is. Her idea of a good time is lying upside down on the sofa with her legs in the air, being fed an occasional treat. If someone sits next to her and pets her, she’s in heaven. However, when I take her out by herself, her head goes up and she can pick up the pace to a nice easy trot, and that equates to a fairly fast walk for me, which is perfect.
Today we walked up to the old Roman waterway, Carr Dyke (now part of the fen drainage system), and then cut across the fields in the direction of the next village. We dropped down onto a back road instead of following the path all the way through, and then, after a few dozen yards, hopped up onto a footpath heading back towards our house, where I’d arranged to meet Other Half and The Pirate to walk the rest of the way home with them. This gave The Princess and I just over forty minutes of fast walking, which made me just warm enough to welcome the heavy shower which began a few moments later. Ah, summer rain … quite lovely, it is!
The butterfly on the yellow flowers is a Gatekeeper, and they’re very common round here. I’d just like to make special mention of that yellow flower, because it’s Oxford Ragwort, a plant which livestock owners rightly fear. It is highly toxic but occasionally it’s eaten by grazing stock – and it causes long term liver damage. Many farmers and stock owners would like to see it wiped off the face of the earth. I have some sympathy with that view, but I would just like to point out that the jolly little chap in the striped pyjamas pictured here is the caterpillar of the strikingly beautiful Cinnabar Moth. And ragwort is one of their very limited range of food plants.
These caterpillars are capable of stripping a ragwort plant to its bare stem. In contrast, pouring weedkiller on ragwort, and/or mowing or ploughing, seems to have little effect on its survival, while at the same time destroying the edible parts of the plant that the Cinnabar caterpillar feeds on. It seems to me that this partial control merely reduces the numbers of the plant’s biological enemy, and I wonder if that’s wise.
Just something to ponder, I thought, but it seems I’m out of touch. Ragwort UK already breeds Cinnabar moths and sells them for biological control.
The butterfly – or moth, I’m still not entirely sure – on the white flower to the left here looks very much to me like a male Scarce Copper. The only thing wrong with that theory is that Scarce Coppers aren’t found on this side of the Channel, so it might be a Small Skipper, but it seems far too dark and coppery. Anyone?
Ragwort contains very toxic alkaloids and the cinnabar moth actually makes use of these alkaloids for its own defence – hence the very striking colours (the adult moth is black and red) that act as a warning – “Do not eat me, I taste disgusting and I am poisonous.”
Not sure what the little lepidopteran is – sorry!
Don’t Bug Me!s last blog post..Is This Torture Ever Going to End?
Great photos! I love long walks, that’s great you were able to get out and enjoy the fresh air!!
Looks like the Princess enjoyed herself too
Sadly, I don’t see anywhere near the amount of butterflies I used to – even 10 years ago. Where are they all going? They even mentioned it on our local news last night.
Babs – beetles last blog post..Look what I got!
DBM – Well damn! I was hoping you’d take a look and say ‘Oh, that’s a (insert the real name of the winged thing here)’! There’s a pic of the Cinnabar moth in the linky, I think they’re just gorgeous, but don’t worry, I’ll remember not to eat one. LOL!
Angi – Thanks! Yes, she did enjoy it, but she slept for hours when we got home!
Babs – We see a lot of Gatekeepers, and a huge number of moths. Red Admirals, Cabbage Whites, Small Tortoiseshells, and the odd Painted Lady, Orange Tips, and various blues but they move so fast I can’t identify them. Occasionally, we’ll see a Peacock – one came into the conservatory the other day. But I agree the numbers are less than they were. I blame the spraying, and it’s sad.
I haven’t noticed much decline in butterflies yet, but we’re losing our honeybees over on this side of the Atlantic and no one can quite figure out why. But there is great concern over what declining bee populations will do to agriculture.
The poor planet just can’t keep up with our foolish attempts to dominate nature.
Ruth Hull Chatliens last blog post..Dog Parables, Part X: Feeling Secure in Love
What a beautiful dog!! The picuters are lovely too, great job!
Bees last blog post..And now for some Milton.
What a lovely description of your walk andthe surrounding countryside! Felt almost as if I was there with you and your Princess. Don’t know much about butterflies and moths, except that I’m usually removing the latter from my house most evenings. Haven’t got a dogof myown but sometimes go with my neighbour and her Alsation around the park. It’s a great way to meet folk and goodfor the waistline too! (Darnthis sticky spacebar!).
Geri Atrics last blog post..HOUSE GHOST
I love that you took Princess for a long walk, welcomed the summer rain, and delivered such lovely pictures. The caterpillar is exquisite. Wonderful post…Peace – D
RiverPoets last blog post..The Way a Boy Thinks
The first picture – that was your dog? It looks so beautiful, and very much like the coyotes here.
I can never take good pictures of butterflies. They never sit still, just like kiddos.
wow. all of these photos are simply beautiful. thank you for brightening my day with these!
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..The Best Text Message. Ever.
Not being familiar with UK flora, I found your nature guide interesting. I’m sure we must have something similar here, somewhere.
Was Princess a rescued racing doggie?
Mr. Nighttimes last blog post..Take a walk with me….
Hey. I just wanted to let you know I posted the award you gave me. Thanks again.
BTW, I forgot to mention how beautiful your Princess is.
Ruth Hull Chatliens last blog post..Jay Says I Kick Ass (thanks)
Aww whosa bewfulls brindly lurchy dog then . . sorry, don’t know what came over me . . .dogs have that effect! Your ragwort looks like a plant we have here called Fireweed, similar effect on livestock but they tend not to eat it. I just drink plenty of semillon chardonnay to get my liver damage!
Bainos last blog post..Friday Fuckwits
What beautiful photos Jay! I’m surprised you could keep your hand steady enough to take them with the Princess ‘on the go’. When Hippie and I are out for a trot it’s all I can do to keep up!!!!
kates last blog post..Ouch!!!!!
Brilliant post! So interesting and with wonderful photos. I always learn new facts from your blog.
Coastal Aussies last blog post..The true story of a three times Dart Champion of the World
Ruth – I’ve heard about the honey bee problem. It’s a serious worry – I don’t think many people understand the impact it could have. We do need to take better care of our planet, don’t we? I think using more biological controls and less poison would be a good start.
Bee – Thank you! I think she’s gorgeous, but I am biased, I guess. I think The Pirate is gorgeous too, and he’s a dribbly old man who pees on his own legs.
Geri Atric – Haven’t you beaten that keyboard with a stick yet? LOL! I hope you get it fixed, it’s so frustrating when they don’t work properly. Thanks for the nice comments on my post!
River Poet – Thanks! I’m planning to do it again today, but it won’t be so much fun. It’s windy and raining. *Sigh*
MotherHen – Yes, that’s The Princess! She is pretty, isn’t she? And she knows it. We don’t have coyotes, thank heavens. I hear they take pets sometimes…
Meleah – Thank you! It’s nice to be able to brighten your day!
Mr N – Yes, she and The Pirate are both ex-racing greyhounds. She was adopted when she was done racing, and no good for breeding. She came from a trainer who adores her dogs so she’s always been treated like royalty – hence the nickname. She expects the best in life. The Pirate, on the other hand, had been badly neglected when we got him just short of ten years old, so he has a more wary and opportunistic approach to life.
Ruth – Thanks! I’ll pop over and read!
Baino – The Princess is definitely bewfulls and brindly, but she’s a blue-blooded ex-racer. Not that she’d mind what you called her as long as you were petting her at the time – you could call her a donkey for all she’d care. LOL!
I think Semillon Chardonnay is a much better way to acquire liver damage than Ragwort of Fireweed. Well done!
Kate – Thanks, Kate! Ah, well, you see, The Princess was off the lead a lot of the time. Plus she’s pretty good at standing still when necessary (I did say she’s lazy) and my little Panasonic has a handy ‘image stabilizer’. I’m stunned at how good the macro shots are with one hand, actually. It’s a great little camera!
Aussie – Thank you! I aim to please …
Jay, I knew I was meant to be a princess. Laying on my back while someone rubs my belly while feeding me a treat sound excellent.
You are one brave soul getting that close to a butterfly. I don’t know what the last one is, good read though, informative even if I am afraid of them. Great picture.
Naturals last blog post..Are You Feeling Guilty Over Something?
a most rewarding walk filled with eye candy for us all thanks sandy
sandy ks last blog post..Share the blog Love
and did you google musical notes An outstanding plant- goes dormant winter .blooms over and over Summer..happy weekend..sk
sandy ks last blog post..Dance with me Baby Get Down Tonight !!!!
It was an excellent post Jay, rather very informative. I’d love to use ur piccys in some of my future post with due credit to you.:)
Scratch Bagss last blog post..Kick My Ass!
Her idea of a good time is lying upside down on the sofa with her legs in the air, being fed an occasional treat.
Yeah … mine too.
I love your knowledge of nature! Very interesting.
Jennys last blog post..The Triple-Digit Treatment
Valerie – Lots of people say they want to come back as one of my dogs, and I do see why. They’re completely spoiled!
I’m not brave though. To be brave, I’d have to be scared, and I’m not – I rather like butterflies! Now, if you ever see a picture on here that I personally took in close-up of an adder, then you can say I’m brave.
Sandy – Yes I did Google Musical Notes. Sadly, it wouldn’t do well on our soil, because it likes rich, well-drained humus and we have clay. It’s so pretty though!
Scratch – Thanks! When you’re ready to use one of my pics, just email me and let me know which one. I’m sure it will be fine, if you credit me!
Jenny – Haha! Yes, indeed. Or if it’s the right person, I don’t mind doing the belly rubs (as suggested by Valerie – great idea, Valerie, by the way) and feeding of treats. No, no – I can manage just fine! No bother. No, really, I can manage…
Back off, sista!
ROFL!
Just lovely photos!! I admit, I get sucked in with photos of the British countryside and nature… When I visited England and had a side trip to Bath and Stonehenge, I must have used most of my film taking photos of, well, everything. Thatched roofed homes, sheep, plants, rolling hills, hedgerows…
I was probably pretty annoying, but I enjoyed myself immensely.
Jenns last blog post..Ouija Boards, Roller Blinds and the Mysterious P
“Her idea of a good time is lying upside down on the sofa with her legs in the air, being fed an occasional treat”
Sounds like Mrs M !
moons last blog post..Some days are Diamonds, Some days are Stones
Jenn – Thanks!
I do the same. Hundreds of pictures of things I just find interesting or look cute or that I just like. I have a ton from my visit to the US, too!
Moon – A dream many of us share, clearly! ROFL!
wow Jay, I am so impressed by your knowledge of the local varieties of wildlife and fauna that you encountered. Superb photography too.. but I will NOT forgive you for pricking my conscience over how sloth-like my walks with Jake have become as of late. Sigh.
Shrinkys last blog post..Okay already, I’m getting there – but before I do..
lovely photos Jay!
the princess looks very fit!
love the butterfly, it looks alot like our wood nymph here. the caterpiller is very cool! the dont eat me colors go along with the toxic plants it loves.
I think the butterfly on the bottom is a skipper, it would be if I saw it here. you know it is not a moth because of the antenna. looks very similar to the woodland skipper here.
nice walk you took!
Dawns last blog post..Hoary Mormot
Shrinky – Hahaha! That’s between you and Jake, my dear. LOL!
Dawn – Thanks – it’s amazing how fit she does look, considering how lazy she is!
I’m leaning towards the Skipper myself. It must be a variant, I think, because most Skippers are more yellowy, I think.