CloseEyeOnJune

A pair of Azure Damselfies mating by the edge of the Millenium Pond on Crane Park Island.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:00 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A pair of Azure Damselfies mating by the edge of the Millenium Pond on Crane Park Island.

Even the succulent stems of the familiar Bramble ooze with vibrant colour on a sunny June morning.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:01 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Even the succulent stems of the familiar Bramble ooze with vibrant colour on a sunny June morning.

Hedge Woundwort is a common grassy verge plant in bloom in Crane Park in June. This one is being visted by Eysarcoris fabricii, a shieldbug that loves this plant so much that is otherwise kn ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:02 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Hedge Woundwort is a common grassy verge plant in bloom in Crane Park in June. This one is being visted by Eysarcoris fabricii, a shieldbug that loves this plant so much that is otherwise kn ...

A dew droplet prepares to fall from the new buds of Cleavers, one of the most abundant plants in Crane Park. Cleavers has hundreds of alternative names due to the fact that its numerous tiny ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:02 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A dew droplet prepares to fall from the new buds of Cleavers, one of the most abundant plants in Crane Park. Cleavers has hundreds of alternative names due to the fact that its numerous tiny ...

The brilliant pink heads of Common Knapweed have to be hunted for carefully in Crane Park. This thistle-lookalike can be found on Crane Park Island in the meadow to the west of the reserve.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:03 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The brilliant pink heads of Common Knapweed have to be hunted for carefully in Crane Park. This thistle-lookalike can be found on Crane Park Island in the meadow to the west of the reserve.

June brings the welcome sight of Common Poppies bursting into bloom in meadows. This is a truly iconic flower of the summer to come. Some of the best along the Crane can be found near Hospit ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:04 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
June brings the welcome sight of Common Poppies bursting into bloom in meadows. This is a truly iconic flower of the summer to come. Some of the best along the Crane can be found near Hospit ...

While many plants are only beginning their cycle in June, others are on the turn. The best season for Cow Parsley is over and some of the leaves turn an astonishing crimson as the plant fade ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:04 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
While many plants are only beginning their cycle in June, others are on the turn. The best season for Cow Parsley is over and some of the leaves turn an astonishing crimson as the plant fade ...

The ubiquitous Creeping Thistle is seeding in June and these "shaving brushes" are readily found in patches of open ground along the Crane.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:05 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The ubiquitous Creeping Thistle is seeding in June and these "shaving brushes" are readily found in patches of open ground along the Crane.

Two-spot ladybirds are not uncommon along the Crane, sometimes red spots on black as well as the more common black spots on red.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:39:57 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Two-spot ladybirds are not uncommon along the Crane, sometimes red spots on black as well as the more common black spots on red.

June sees the profuse blossoming of wild roses, smaller but surely not inferior to domesticated strains. This Dog Rose is part of the hedgrow on the northern path along Crane Park Island.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:06 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
June sees the profuse blossoming of wild roses, smaller but surely not inferior to domesticated strains. This Dog Rose is part of the hedgrow on the northern path along Crane Park Island.

There should be few problems seeing Marsh Frogs on Crane Park Island in June. Having sung their hearts out earlier in the season, these amphibians are common and highly visible this month.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:07 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
There should be few problems seeing Marsh Frogs on Crane Park Island in June. Having sung their hearts out earlier in the season, these amphibians are common and highly visible this month.

Hogweeds stand out like rainforest giants in this bug's eye view from the lower undergrowth of Crane Park.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:08 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Hogweeds stand out like rainforest giants in this bug's eye view from the lower undergrowth of Crane Park.

Another view of Azure Damselflies, one of the most easily seen damseflies along the River Crane.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:37:33 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Another view of Azure Damselflies, one of the most easily seen damseflies along the River Crane.

The best is yet to come from Honeysuckle as it prepares to flower in June. Once these lobes have embraced the sun they will become a magnet to the Crane's invertebrate life.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:09 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The best is yet to come from Honeysuckle as it prepares to flower in June. Once these lobes have embraced the sun they will become a magnet to the Crane's invertebrate life.

Hoverflies are abundant along the Crane in June. This species is probably Syrphus ribesii and is gorging on the nectar of a Field Rose.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:09 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Hoverflies are abundant along the Crane in June. This species is probably Syrphus ribesii and is gorging on the nectar of a Field Rose.

The site of giant "cabbages" along the Crane in June is an indicator that one of our most charismatic common plants is preparing to flower soon. This is Lesser Burdock, which features in sev ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:10 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The site of giant "cabbages" along the Crane in June is an indicator that one of our most charismatic common plants is preparing to flower soon. This is Lesser Burdock, which features in sev ...

The presence of Meadow Vetchling in flower is a healthy sign for any grassland. One of the best places for this plant along the Crane is the meadow on the south side of the river to the east ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:11 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The presence of Meadow Vetchling in flower is a healthy sign for any grassland. One of the best places for this plant along the Crane is the meadow on the south side of the river to the east ...

This is a good time of year to go bug hunting. One prize along the Crane might be a sighting of the metallic green Rose Chafer, seen here clambering slowly over June blossom in search of nec ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:13 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
This is a good time of year to go bug hunting. One prize along the Crane might be a sighting of the metallic green Rose Chafer, seen here clambering slowly over June blossom in search of nec ...

An abundant flowering plant of shady margins and disturbed ground in June is Nipplewort. One plant may have dozens of these delicate flowerheads, with many more tiny buds about to bloom.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:12 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
An abundant flowering plant of shady margins and disturbed ground in June is Nipplewort. One plant may have dozens of these delicate flowerheads, with many more tiny buds about to bloom.

Although not a native plant it is hard not to admire the gigantic flowering Garden Mallows in Crane Park at this time of year.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:13 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Although not a native plant it is hard not to admire the gigantic flowering Garden Mallows in Crane Park at this time of year.

A close look into the River Crane in June reveals an abundance of colour beneath the surface as well.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:14 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A close look into the River Crane in June reveals an abundance of colour beneath the surface as well.

Keeping a close eye on the Crane will occasionally prove extremely rewarding. This ghostly creature is a day-flying White Plume Moth, which looked like a stray feather as it rested on these ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:15 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Keeping a close eye on the Crane will occasionally prove extremely rewarding. This ghostly creature is a day-flying White Plume Moth, which looked like a stray feather as it rested on these ...

June is a good month to stroll along the riverside at Kneller Gardens and admire the beds of flowering Yellow Water-lilies.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:16 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
June is a good month to stroll along the riverside at Kneller Gardens and admire the beds of flowering Yellow Water-lilies.

A slightly grudging respect must be paid to the hardy Great Bindweed, which is beginning to flower this month. This plant is a Crane gardener's curse but does at least provide a wonderful re ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:18 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A slightly grudging respect must be paid to the hardy Great Bindweed, which is beginning to flower this month. This plant is a Crane gardener's curse but does at least provide a wonderful re ...

This is one of the most noxious invaders of the Crane. These lifeless jungles are the stems of Japanese Knotweed, which shade out all other plants and are almost impossible to remove. There ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 13:53:18 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
This is one of the most noxious invaders of the Crane. These lifeless jungles are the stems of Japanese Knotweed, which shade out all other plants and are almost impossible to remove. There ...

One of most magnificent June invertebrates along the Crane is the Stag Beetle. It is hard to imagine that this bulky male happily takes to the air at night.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 13:06:55 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
One of most magnificent June invertebrates along the Crane is the Stag Beetle. It is hard to imagine that this bulky male happily takes to the air at night.

A common day-flying Minth Moth (Pyrausta purpuralis) resting on the leaf of a White Bryony.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 13:07:17 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A common day-flying Minth Moth (Pyrausta purpuralis) resting on the leaf of a White Bryony.

Grass seeds are forming in June, adding to the maze of diversity on show along the Crane.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 13:19:24 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Grass seeds are forming in June, adding to the maze of diversity on show along the Crane.

Song Thrushes sing loudly and bravely from the depths of the June Crane woodlands, throughout morning and well after dusk.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:37:32 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Song Thrushes sing loudly and bravely from the depths of the June Crane woodlands, throughout morning and well after dusk.

A bumblebee finds the lure of a vivid Opium Poppy, growing in Mereway Nature Park, too much too resist on a warm June afternoon.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 13:19:25 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A bumblebee finds the lure of a vivid Opium Poppy, growing in Mereway Nature Park, too much too resist on a warm June afternoon.

Small beetle, big bite.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:39:59 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Small beetle, big bite.

A fresh hornbeam shoot glistens in the glory of a June morning.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:40:24 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A fresh hornbeam shoot glistens in the glory of a June morning.

By June some of the nursery web spiders have become imressively large, fed on a healthy diet of Mereway Nature Park invertebrates.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:40:19 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
By June some of the nursery web spiders have become imressively large, fed on a healthy diet of Mereway Nature Park invertebrates.

Wild grass seedheads dangle over the verges of the Duke of Northumberland River.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:40:34 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Wild grass seedheads dangle over the verges of the Duke of Northumberland River.

Arguably the most glamorous insect to be found along the Crane is the Banded Demoiselle, instantly recognisable by the deep blue patches on its wings.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:40:48 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Arguably the most glamorous insect to be found along the Crane is the Banded Demoiselle, instantly recognisable by the deep blue patches on its wings.