Donkey.
New Forest
Living History.
Lyndhurst is the largest village in the New Forest Hampshire, it became the natural ‘capital’ of the area when William the Conqueror established his hunting grounds in the forest. Lyndhurst was the haunt of royalty and nobility. Kings and Queens regularly visited Lyndhurst’s own manor house. Now known as Queens House, this former manor is still home to Verderers’ Hall, the meeting place of the ancient Verderers’ Court whose history stretches back to at least the 13th century.
Stonechat.
Male Stonechat New Forest.
Female Stonechat New Forest.
Close encounter.
A freshly emerged male Golden-ringed Dragonfly in the New Forest today, her wings have unfolded but not yet dropped into the open flight position so it will be an hour or so before he will fly.
I put my hand down to pick up an empty dragonfly nymph exoskeleton which was on the ground and the dragonfly walked onto my finger.
A damselfly empty nymph exoskeleton.
Back to the woods.
Back home after our campervan trip to Wales and a day in the New Forest. Looking in a wet area for some small creatures.
Water Skimmer.
Raft Spiders.
This one is hunting on a Milkmaid flower.
Distant Fallow Deer – young bucks.
Minotaur Beetle – Typhaeus Typhoeus {size of my thump nail}.
I have to get down low for these creatures.
Another Cuckoo.
Today I got a closer view of a Cuckoo while walking in the New Forest.
Below is a link to the Cuckoo post of the bird I saw last week.
One in-flight – I missed myself photographed by my brother Simon.
Cuckoo.
The sounds of the Cuckoos call are now in the New Forest. Cuckoos have started to arrive from Africa. They are summer visitors and are known for being brood parasites. They do not build their own nest, the females lay their eggs in other birds’ nests, especially Meadow Pipits, Dunnocks and Warblers. When a female Cuckoo finds a suitable nest, and the host bird is away she removes one of their eggs and lays her own egg in its place. Cuckoo young hatch after just 12 days, and push the hosts’ eggs or babies out of the nest, allowing it to eat all food brought by the host bird. When the young Cuckoo leaves the nest, it is far bigger than the host bird. I only saw one today but at least 3 were calling.
Into the woods.
Can you see me said the mating Toad’s deep in the Forest? – Camouflage at its best.
Not a worm.
A New Forest Slow Worm – not a worm or a snake but a legless lizard.
The oldest specimen recorded in captivity lived for at least 54 years, so an adult in the wild may be more than 25 years of age.
Do not touch.
The adder is the UK’s only venomous snake. They are a shy and secretive reptile. They live in woodland, heathland and moorland habitats. Here are 2 that I photographed in the New Forest today.
Continued Reflections from my World. 