This Weekend!

Dear People of Purple Persuasion

This weekend is going to see a significant emergence of iris (though I doubt that this is going to be a great iris year). They've been stuck in the pupal stage for ages and will be bursting out en masse. Cancel all weddings, christenings, anniversaries etc., including your own, - and get into the woods. In IRP Heslop's immortal words: 'To the woods, without breakfast'! Or to quote Horace: Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero.

Enjoy...

Further Little Wood activity

I saw my first two iris on Thursday at Little Wood, Buckinghamshire. Two males were sparing for the best territory near the large Ash tree at the top of the wood. This site is consistently the first to become active in the Bucks/Oxon area. Interestingly it was also the last active site last year by a margin.

berks/bucks/oxon I

The first sighting was on the 20th from a new locality: Buckleberry Common Nature Reserve [just to the north-east of Newbury]; the sighting of a male was made at SU5570, just north of the Common.

Yesterday, Wendy & Mick Campbell went to Little Wood in the afternoon and saw three in a spiralling combat flight around the massive Ash tree on territory; a fourth was seen around an Oak at the same spot.

Home Emergence

The first of my home grown iris has emerged - after a staggering 31 days as a pupa! He shot straight up into the canopy, as bred males invariably do. The females usually hang around for a photo call but this is a lousy way of obtaining photos of males...

Further Outrage

Yet another outrageous photo by Rob Hill at Bookham Common.

Most of us still haven't seen this butterfly yet this year, and many of us have never seen three together...

PHOTO COMP

Fair enough then, let's make it an official photo competition. Best photo of his (or her) imperial highness this season. I'll judge it, as there seems little chance of my getting north of the Tropic of Capricorn this season to take part. The prize - instant and eternal recognition, and honorary membership of the Loyal Order of Apaturians. (If you're not enrolled as a blogger, send to derekcva@gmail.com and I'll post it on your behalf).

Greatest Show on Earth!

Bookham Common, Tues 21st June 2011, Rob Hill. Beat this photo if you can...