Month eight of my photographer’s nature journal.
The year is flying by, the dry weather broken by one or two showers at the beginning of the month, but nothing much. Still with the assistance of the sea fret / coastal fog the fields are once again looking green. As is my lawn.
This month we are back on Godrevy Point. Some of you may have seen my ‘case of the disappearing lighthouse‘ photos. Well while I was there I took the opportunity to wander along the south-west coastal path a little towards The Knavocks mainly to see if the heather was in flower. Some of it was, though some was already turning brown. But I did spot this lovely Mistle Thrush posing for me on the fence.
And several very lovely butterflies. Though one or two were looking distinctly bedraggled with torn wings.
I found it quite annoying when I was obviously photographing something on the ground (the male Wall Brown) that a cyclist whizzed by disturbing the butterfly I had been patiently stalking. Some cyclists can be very aggressive I have found.
I was delighted to see several of these beautiful female Brown Argus butterflies (above) with their wings open. Such tiny things and so colourful. And amused to see the Small Cabbage White settle on the special wildlife notice.
In the fog it felt very autumnal already.
Textures of lichens, rough wood and rusty barbed wire against dried thrift flowers and seeding grasses caught my eye as I walked along the new path slightly away from the crumbling clifftop.
I was delighted to see my first Ladybird this year on top of the seedhead of the Daucus carota (wild carrot, bird’s nest, bishop’s lace, and Queen Anne’s lace). I have not seen ladybirds since moving to Cornwall.
I shall finish with the colour that dominated the walk – purple – amongst the browns of all the decaying plants.
The Changing Seasons | August
Cornwall in Colours 
Beautiful blog Jude, my heart melted when I saw the barbed wire fence with yellow lichen post. So rustically gorgeous! We occasionally see nice examples here in NZ like that but that’s a beauty! And such a nice blue sky background to it.
A real autumnal feel this month Jude. More beautiful butterfly photos you have real patience and determination to catch them and I also loved that rustic fence post, so artistic. I guess this means winter is round the corner again, hope it is not as harsh as last one.
I was so pleased to see all the butterflies PP. The Brown Argus especially, they are very tiny things. The post is one of my favourites, took a similar photo last year. Hopefully autumn will be lovely and not too wet. It is the wet that is a problem down here, not the cold (usually). Almost time to get the spring bulbs planted 🙂
Gardening is a constant and interesting cycle, always something to be thinking of.
When we moved here in 2012, we had swarms of ladybirds. Since then, they are few and far between. That ubiquitous insect of my youth seems to be disappearing fast.
If you want to see aggressive cyclists, look no further than any main street in London. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete. x
I haven’t seen ladybirds for years Pete, at least no more than one or two. As you say we used to see masses of them. And I still remember a plague of them in Cromer when I was about 8 or 9 years old.
We had that ‘plague’ in 2012 too. They covered my car, all the hedges and shrubs, and were in the house as well, especially in the bath! 🙂
Extraordinary! All we get are flying ants 😦
Beautiful photos as ever, Jude. I love all the rough textures you have captured.
Thanks Ali, my favourite walking area. Never quite know what you might see.
Such an interesting post, Jude, and the Brown Argus butterfly is especially pretty- such a clear and perfect photo. You are very fortunate to have so many pleasant walks nearby.
I managed to get a few of the Brown Argus, they must have been half asleep. They are very pretty with wings shut too, but I didn’t see one in that position. Godrevy is my favourite walking place. I love the open landscape there – sea on one side, fields on the other.
Beautiful pictures perfectly capturing the time of year.
I’d rather this have been September though, seems a little early for all this dying stuff in August!
This post feels as if you have gathered elemental Cornwall and made it into a perfect gift. And I do like that fence post.
Well thank you kind lady. That is a lovely way of viewing this.
Love the butterfly shadow and the Lady Beetle best 🙂
Yes, despite the idiot scaring the butterfly away, the shadow is pretty cool!
Ooooh…the thistle seed, your glorious Brown Argus, and the colour and texture of lichen! Fabulous, Jude! I need to get out more….
Me too Sue! Been at home most of August, but things should start to be quieter now for a week before the St Ives festival begins in early September when it will get busy again!
Oh, enjoy a quieter week!
I shall simply avoid St Ives until the last week in September. It is a lovely place. but I was reading that in summer the population rises to 50,000 each day (10,000 normally). No wonder there is nowhere to park!
Goodness!
I’ve only seen a couple of ladybirds this year. I’m wondering if I’m less observant than usual, or are they one of the things that haven’t thrived in a hot Summer? I loved your foggy photos and those butterflies are precious. 🙂 🙂 Doesn’t Tish leave the nicest remarks? You could hug her.
Tish is a darling! I haven’t seen ladybirds for years so it has nothing to do with the hot summer.