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June 2019

Forester Moth - Matera - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Forester

There’s a bright blue iridescent moth flying in the middle of the day in the south of Italy. I have no idea …

Bertolini's Bee Orchid - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Bertoloni’s Bee Orchid

Bee Orchids are the rubber sex doll of the plant world. I can’t really believe I’ve just written that sentence. Please forgive me.

Mediterranean Spotted Chafers - Matera - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Spotting chafers

We’re walking in the heat through pungent herbs, surrounded by butterflies and day-flying moths with Lesser Kestrels overhead. We’re in Matera in …

Agapanthia irrorata - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Longhorn on the Giant Fennel

Out in the countryside in Matera in Italy, the dry heat and the scent of herbs surrounds us. I particularly love the …

Thomisus on flower - Matera - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Spiderbombing

I don’t know how long photobombing has been ‘a thing’. Spoiling someone’s photograph by appearing in it unexpectedly must have appeared very …

Lesser Kestrel - Matera - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The Lesser Kestrels of Matera #9

There are Lesser Kestrels before breakfast, Lesser Kestrels on the way to breakfast, a break from Lesser Kestrels for breakfast and then Lesser Kestrels after breakfast. In Matera, there are Lesser Kestrels everywhere.

Lesser Kestrel - Matera - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The Lesser Kestrels of Matera #8

It’s five o’clock in the morning and she’s calling immediately outside our window. I think she wants her mate. The tone is …

Lesser Kestrel - Matera - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The Lesser Kestrels of Matera #7

We’re having close encounters of the wildlife kind: There are Lesser Kestrels all over Matera. I’m sure the locals must become immune …

Spotted Flycatcher - Villa Pamphilj - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Spotted Flycatcher

I know that bird! Without even seeing it properly, I know its behaviour. It’s a Spotted Flycatcher: It’s hidden behind a largish …

Hooded Crow - Villa Pamphilj - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Hooded Crows at Villa Pamphilj

We’re at the park in Rome and there are Hooded Crows galore here. It’s fabulous light, though a little late in the …

Wood Duck at Villa Pamphilj - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

A Wood Duck would duck

There’s a Wood Duck in the park at Villa Doria Pamphilj. I’ve not seen one before. I won’t forget seeing one: Aren’t …

Butterbur - Crime Lake - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Butterbur

There’s a plant I recognise from my childhood here at Daisy Nook Country Park. I remember seeing it a little further up …

Pied Flycatcher in Yarner Wood - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Flied Piecatchers

Every April and May these tiny birds fly from West Africa to ancient woodlands in Wales and the west of England. Pied …

Cherry Blossom - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Cherry Blossom

Seasons come and seasons go. The cycles of life are relentless. Time to sit or stand and wonder at the natural world …