Revisiting an old book

 Years ago I borrowed a library book on pond life and was fascinated by what I might see. I remember seeing Spirogyra and hoping to see it one day for myself

Years later I found, if not the same book, but one very similar on Abebooks so I bought it.

And sure enough, Spirogyra is in there. Along with lots of mini beasts.

Moths

 Some moths I've spotted over the last few years.

Silver Y, Magpie moth, Willow Beauty,  Footman, Juniper Carpet 

Little spider

 My daughter found a dead spider, so I popped it under the scope at 20x

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.