"The Latest Ten" Collection
Chafer Beetle Larva
My wife found this chafer beetle grub (larva) in the garden. It might be a Cockchafer grub, but I'm not really sure. I put it in a fir cone to try to stop it squirming-about so much. As it happened, m...
Photo: Chafer Beetle Larva. My wife found this chafer beetle grub (larva) in the garden. It might be a Cockchafer grub, but I'm not really sure. I put it in a fir cone to try to stop it squirming-about so muc...
Colourful Shieldbug
A rather colourful little shieldbug in the garden on 1st August. Wasn't sure what species it was at first, but it would appear that it's most likely a Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea). The common name is...
Photo: Colourful Shieldbug. A rather colourful little shieldbug in the garden on 1st August. Wasn't sure what species it was at first, but it would appear that it's most likely a Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea)...
Davies' Colletes Bee
I make an attempt to photograph, identify and record all the different bee species that visit our Staffordshire garden. I don't see many "new" species these days, but this species started appearing in...
Photo: Davies' Colletes Bee. I make an attempt to photograph, identify and record all the different bee species that visit our Staffordshire garden. I don't see many "new" species these days, but this species...
In the Early Morning Light
Early morning mist in Norfolk. These two horses provided lots of photographic opportunities, as their field was just a short walk from our holiday accommodation.
Photo: In the Early Morning Light. Early morning mist in Norfolk. These two horses provided lots of photographic opportunities, as their field was just a short walk from our holiday accommodation.
European Paper Wasp
The European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula) in our Staffordshire garden at the end of July. I didn't think I'd ever see one in the UK, yet alone in our garden. There are sporadic sightings in the UK b...
Photo: European Paper Wasp. The European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula) in our Staffordshire garden at the end of July. I didn't think I'd ever see one in the UK, yet alone in our garden. There are sporadic s...
Sunset on the Canal
An evening shot on a local canal.
Photo: Sunset on the Canal. An evening shot on a local canal.
First Light on a Misty Morning
Another from our break in Norfolk. I got up at 05.30 when I saw it was a misty morning, and headed to the field with the two horses in it. They stood for a short while in a pleasant spot which caught...
Photo: First Light on a Misty Morning. Another from our break in Norfolk. I got up at 05.30 when I saw it was a misty morning, and headed to the field with the two horses in it. They stood for a short while in a pleasan...
First of the Year
This is the first Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) that I've seen in 2026; was in our Staffordshire garden on a Solidago (goldenrod) flower. This species was added to the British list in 2001, and has been...
Photo: First of the Year. This is the first Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) that I've seen in 2026; was in our Staffordshire garden on a Solidago (goldenrod) flower. This species was added to the British list in...
Garden Magpie
I don't photograph garden birds that often, but this Magpie was posing rather nicely.
Photo: Garden Magpie. I don't photograph garden birds that often, but this Magpie was posing rather nicely.
Hummingbird Hawk-moth
A Humming-bird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) visiting our Staffordshire garden in July. I've seen them in the garden several times this year and lots of people are reporting increased sightings...
Photo: Hummingbird Hawk-moth. A Humming-bird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) visiting our Staffordshire garden in July. I've seen them in the garden several times this year and lots of people are reporting...
Keeping Dry
As I looked through the viewfinder, I was reminded of the work of the late, great Marin Parr. In no way am I comparing myself to him, but this made me smile.
Photo: Keeping Dry. As I looked through the viewfinder, I was reminded of the work of the late, great Marin Parr. In no way am I comparing myself to him, but this made me smile.
Life Beneath your Feet
Springtails are one of the commonest animals in the world. Because of their size, they generally go unnoticed. This globular springtail (possibly Bourletiella hortensis) is less than 1 mm long. Was in...
Photo: Life Beneath your Feet. Springtails are one of the commonest animals in the world. Because of their size, they generally go unnoticed. This globular springtail (possibly Bourletiella hortensis) is less th...
Mevagissey Harbour
I had a lovely short break in Cornwall, staying with my daughter. We treated ourselves to to a trip to Mevagissey.
Photo: Mevagissey Harbour. I had a lovely short break in Cornwall, staying with my daughter. We treated ourselves to to a trip to Mevagissey.
Bubbles
This was a project at a meeting of my local Camera Club. Drops of detergent were added to the surface of water and gently mixed. The coloured background was formed by scrumpled tissue paper, illuminat...
Photo: Bubbles. This was a project at a meeting of my local Camera Club. Drops of detergent were added to the surface of water and gently mixed. The coloured background was formed by scrumpled tis...
Pellucid Hover Fly
I don't photograph many flies, but this Pellucid Hover Fly (Volucella pellucens) visited our garden in August. I think she was worthy of a shot. The Volucella flies are all large or very large, often...
Photo: Pellucid Hover Fly. I don't photograph many flies, but this Pellucid Hover Fly (Volucella pellucens) visited our garden in August. I think she was worthy of a shot. The Volucella flies are all large o...
Portrait of a Baritone
Portrait of the Baritone - William Semple. He's my grandson and he let me do some portrait shots of him; potentially for inclusion in his portfolio.
Photo: Portrait of a Baritone. Portrait of the Baritone - William Semple. He's my grandson and he let me do some portrait shots of him; potentially for inclusion in his portfolio.
Slug Detail
This garden slug was reluctant to extend its head, so I photographed some body details. Left is the sole, edged with a striped fringe. The rest is the junction of the tail and mantle, with the breathi...
Photo: Slug Detail. This garden slug was reluctant to extend its head, so I photographed some body details. Left is the sole, edged with a striped fringe. The rest is the junction of the tail and mant...
Stabled
We were visitors at a local farmstead and one of their horses was looking through its stable door, just asking to be photographed.
Photo: Stabled. We were visitors at a local farmstead and one of their horses was looking through its stable door, just asking to be photographed.
Stairs to the Treasury
The old stone spiral staircase up to The Treasury in Norfolk Cathedral. The rope is stained with the sweat and grease from hands of the many staff and visitors who have hauled themselves up there!
Photo: Stairs to the Treasury. The old stone spiral staircase up to The Treasury in Norfolk Cathedral. The rope is stained with the sweat and grease from hands of the many staff and visitors who have hauled them...
That one There!
My local Camera Club organised a trip to Birmingham. The Museum and Art Gallery had recently re-opened following major renovations. I was having a sit-down when I noticed this and thought it might mak...
Photo: That one There!. My local Camera Club organised a trip to Birmingham. The Museum and Art Gallery had recently re-opened following major renovations. I was having a sit-down when I noticed this and...
The Blue Boat
I spotted this blue boat during a morning walk on Anglesey.
Photo: The Blue Boat. I spotted this blue boat during a morning walk on Anglesey.
The Formidable Bee Wolf
At the end of August I spotted a male Bee Wolf wasp (Philanthus triangulum) on an Astrantia flower in our Staffordshire garden; soon followed by this impressive female. They hunt Honey Bees which they...
Photo: The Formidable Bee Wolf. At the end of August I spotted a male Bee Wolf wasp (Philanthus triangulum) on an Astrantia flower in our Staffordshire garden; soon followed by this impressive female. They hunt H...