Late Season Critters

 It's been a week of mist, fog, and grey skies depositing various amounts of rainfall on our heads. Storms are expected later in the week. 

But the critters of warmer months have not quite left us yet. My household pipistrelle bat still comes out after sunset to perform acrobatic feats just above me in the postage stamp garden, and where the last of the flowers bloom, bees and bumblebees are still to be seen.

That being said, darkness closes in, more so when the clocks fall back next weekend. When I go running, I'm clad in various lights and fluorescent clothing, and cricket whites already seem long ago. 

Early December, and then we will see the first snowdrops and the time of renewal begins. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 21.10.25

Make the Most of the Bright Days

 Well, I've just hit 21 years old again, and getting over a Tourettes mega phase and all the manic nonsense that accompanies it. 

Hot weather is long behind us, and the leaves are falling from the trees, as well as various acorns, hazelnuts and walnuts - I planted a couple of hazelnuts I found on a pavement on our work campus. I've collected seeds from the library gardens in order to plant them in my planters, and bought some new bulbs to plant whenever I can ever clear out the weed roots from my plant pots. 

I like visiting the park, although cans of shandy have replaced tea as my drink of choice, my body having decided to become wheat and dairy intolerant in my old 21 year old age. Still some nice flowers blooming at the park, and a common carder bumblebee was paying a visit. 

Always the hardiest of our bumbles, it's good to see them still around, and I will miss them during the dead months, as I have done for all these 21 years. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 13.10.25

Sunbathing Dragonflies

 For some reason, the cycle track bridge over the A1 becomes a favourite sunbathing spot for dragonflies this time of year. 

More specifically, common darters, and even more specifically today, female common darters, three of which were out enjoying autumn sun on the bridge today, their huge brown eyes following me as I tried to get photographs. 

Most of the time, dragonflies are pretty skittish and hard to photograph, but at this time of the year with colder nights - and it was chilly last night - they take a while to warm up and are a bit more amenable to posing for irritating photographers.

The coralberry bushes were busy too today, lots of bees going like hooligans at the last of the flowers. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 23.09.25

The Last of late Season Colour

 The warm weather disappeared largely very quickly, replaced by unsettled weather and occasionally heavy rain that blocked my guttering and caused water to run down my kitchen and living room walls. 

Plaster wrecked, good job I'm renting. 

Back issues have eased, but sciatica remains an issue some mornings when I wake up. I get into some mad positions when I sleep. 

So, what's out there?

White butterflies are still around, honey bees too and bufftailed and common carder bumblebees. All feeding of the last flowers in bloom - hawkbut, bristly oxe tongue, the occasional creeping thistle. Ivy mining bees have also been around feeding off guess what ivy flowers. 

I'll show you what I've found. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 20.09.25

Photo Dump amid more Health Issues

 Summer's over, Autumn begins, and with that I've had a sudden spike in Tourettes, IBS and eczema symptoms. Joyous stuff. Goes to show how neurodiverse conditions, GI issues and skin troubles are all linked. 

That being said, I've still got out there briefly, to take photos at the library gardens or on my work campus, waving my Pixel 6A around and getting strange looks from a few folk as always!

Let's see what we found, starting with a small white butterfly I found in the library gardens nature reserve today. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 04.09.25 

A Tiny Brown Argus

 With my back in somewhat better shape, I've been able to be a bit more mobile again, and get a bit closer to the generally rather low down action. 

The hot weather has gone and the weather is changeable, but still pretty pleasant when the sun decides to make an apperance. Therefore butterflies and bees have been on the wing, although on our campus there's not much in bloom for them to nectar off - ragwort, coralberry, and the remaining creeping cingquefoil. 

So lets see what's been out there, that I've managed to successfully stalk without my Tourettes ticcing scaring them off! 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 29.08.25

A Butterfly in the Garden

 Finally I have some new content for you!

I've had a rotten few days. I've had time at work, but gave myself a back spasm - thanks again, cricket - and it left me immobile for a few days. I've only been able to go for walks again the last couple of days, and so sad as always that the time of colour is coming to an end. 

This week has felt distinctly autumnal. But these last couple of days, a hew buzzers and flutterers have been out notwithstanding. 

As I left my flat this morning, a comma butterfly was feeding off the "communal" buddleia. I rushed back inside to get my phone, and got one shot before it headed for the rather grey heavens. A beautiful specimen, fresh out of the packet. 

I've found bees in the park and library gardens, scabious, rudbeckia and cornflower are still out for them to feed off. 

And I've been bending down very gingerly to photograph them. 

Si 

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 21.08.25