Last bugs of the year

I hope that we will continue to see bugs, butterflies and dragonflies for a bit longer. I even had an invitation to go out to a new reserve today, but I’ve been far too busy with my Norfolk homework. I will be driving up there in just over two weeks and I’ve only just started researching the area in earnest. Part of me is really looking forward to it, but on top of trying to pack in far too many locations, this year I’ve decided to stay at B&Bs in two distinct areas. Thankfully the first place has been very understanding and we have agreed that I can pay on arrival because I need to depart at 5.00 in the morning, two days later. I just hope that no other guests are awake at that time and think I’m trying to do a “midnight flit”.

So, before I get back to my endless beaches, crazy sea defences and decaying mills, I thought you might like to see my very last bugs of the year. This follows on from my earlier blog post about the life and death of wood ants.

Until my husband and I had reached the decoy pond at our local reserve, we had seen nothing but a few bees. At least it made a nice spot for a picnic and I was able to photograph the only dragonfly (a male ruddy darter) and a common lizard.

After lunch, we decided to follow the path around the lake. It actually brought us out a hundred yards back on the track we had already covered, but it proved to be the most productive area of the entire day. The first thing I spotted was a tiny black and red bug identified later (not that original) as a black and red squash bug.

A bit further on I found this tiny common blue damselfly and with a bit of patience I was able to get within a couple of inches.

Then I spotted a fly on a nearby leaf and thought it might be fun to take his portrait from the front. I may have mentioned it before, but my eyesight is poor and I didn’t see the drop of water until I opened the RAW file up on my computer.

Once we were back on the main track the reserve went quiet again. Not long afterwards I managed to get lost (again) and we spent ages trekking through the woods to find a way back to the car park. At one point we passed some tall thistles and I spotted a tiny spider on his web. He seemed almost translucent and lit from behind, I knew I had to stop. The image below was taken from a distance of fewer than two inches and in fact, I’m surprised he didn’t end up on the front of my lens! He was a long-jawed orb weaver, sometimes called a stretch spider and you can see why. He was very tiny at less than 10mm, but for anyone who doesn’t like arachnids, look away now!