Sawfly Summer

 Spotted these caterpillars on the birch in my garden in June. Turns out they're a species of Sawfly which are related to bees and wasps (Hymenoptera)

When alarmed they assume a defensive posture where they all hold their bodies in an outward curl.

Very cool.

Species is Pristiphora testacea

Phone shots

A Snipe Fly

Found this little chap on a rusty sculpture on West Park. I didn't know what it was but I got a broad ID from a Facebook insect group- its a Snipe Fly (Rhagionidae)

Taken with my Oppo phone

Couple of garden volunteers

 Noticed this poppy plant had appeared near the back of the shed.

 

Then when putting the bin out I spotted this tiny fern growing in the gap between the slabs

Bramble flowers

Usually the flowers of bramble (Blackberry) are white, but often I see ones with a pink or purplish tinge, like these.

Hogweed

 Some snaps of Hogweed  (Heracleum sphondylium) from a walk with the dog. 

Buttercup

 Growing amongst Wood Avens 

Couple of snails

 Spotted while out on the walk the other day.