Tuesday 24 February 2009

Why The Satellite?

A noctuid moth turned up on the kitchen window yesterday that was identified (after some difficulty) as a satellite (Eupsilia transversa).

The English name comes from the small spot on each forewing which has usually two satellite spots beside it.  In this close up picture one satellite is quite clear, but the other, to the south west of the orange main spot, is very faint.

20090224 South View 009

The moth is quite common in the British Isles and overwinters as an adult.

Tuesday 3 February 2009

Spurge wood

The sudden heavy fall of snow has highlighted the young spurge plants that came up last year.  They are an exotic species that has appeared around the garden for many years and, when they flower, I shall have to make a concerted effort to work out their identity.  Clearly, their leaves are quite efficient at shedding snow.

20090203 Kwr snow 015