skipping through the bog

...it was uncharacteristically sunny and warm this morning (for this summer, that is) so it was a shame we were stuck waiting for a delivery. Fortunately, it arrived before lunch and we were able to go back to Hartland Moor, which I am in the process of performing a detailed study on.

To state that the paths can be little distinguished from the surrounding bogs is an understatement - we poured water out of our shoes when we got back to the car! It is going to take time and a serious amount of dry weather before things are back to where we would expect in July! The important thing is that it was dry, and that meant there were plenty of butterflies and moths about. It was a little too breezy to tempt them onto the flower tops, and they were skulking about in the grass whenever they settled, but I was able to get several good Large and Small Skipper shots.

When we were there just two days ago, we noticed that the Common Centaury was just beginning to break bud. Today, all the meadows and grassy parts of the heath are covered in the soft pink flowers of this beautiful plant.

I have already blipped a Large and a Lulworth Skipper so, today, I have chosen this female Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris. If you go large, you will see how gorgeous her eyelashes are.

I have posted a detail shot of Common Centaury and a male Small Skipper here...