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This is an Italian Striped-Bug (Graphosoma lineatum) aka Minstrel Bug , about 1cm (0,4") long, but not all that hard to spot: Olympus XZ-1, 28mm, ISO400, f5.6, 1/80s Their having sex seems to be a bit awkward, but then again, I know little of their customs: Olympus XZ-1, 112mm, ISO100, f8, 1/250s…

Lurking behind and between crass shopfronts and other modern discomforts, and in the less-travelled side streets, you can still get some idea of the history of my home town. I suppose this is the same in many cities these days, especially the bit about shop fronts raping what once was a pretty…

This is an overview of the species of grasshoppers I have found so far in the local peat bog near my home town in The Netherlands. A pair of lesser marsh grasshoppers (Chorthippus albomarginatus) sunbathing: Olympus Stylus 1s, 165mm, ISO100, f5.6, 1/320s This is a bog meadow bush-cricket…

And they said working hard is good for you. It's not all fun and cuteness in the bumblebee world. This poor bumblebee was at the end of its tether, and I suppose the mites didn't help either: Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO200, f4, 1/160s

This time, I have no idea what it is, just that it is nice to look at: Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO100, f2.8, 1/500s Flowers don't need a name to be beautiful, but if you happen to know what this is, please let me know.

Incoming! Olympus Stylus 1s, 300mm, ISO125, f4, 1/500s

Here are some photos of wildflowers from the forest we saw on one of our walks. My GF looked up their names, so say "thank you" 8-). Speedwell (Veronica), Вероника in Russian: Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), Ландыш майский in Russian: Bugleweed (Ajuga), Живучка in Russian: Water avens …

This is one of the few species of butterflies that flies around when it rains*, the ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus). It appears to be rather possessive of the water it found (and yes, they drink water from time to time): Olympus XZ-1, 112mm, ISO400, f4, 1/200s Here's what it looks like from above…

These moths are all in the family of the Arctiinae . Their caterpillars are referred to as woolly bears because of their fluffiness; the Dutch name for this family is beervlinders ("bear butterflies", not: "beer butterflies" 8-). This cute critter is called four-dotted footman (Cybosia mesomella):…

These two caterpillars look far too exotic to be native to The Netherlands, yet they are. This first one is the caterpillar of a big, but surprisingly modest-looking moth called pale tussock (Calliteara pudibunda): Olympus XZ-1, 28mm, ISO100, f5.6, 1/25s The same species from above: Olympus Stylus…

Most people seem to think they are just weeds, but I like them a lot, so why not: dandelions (Taraxacum): Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO200, f8, 1/125s Joyful bunch.

This is a small plant called common starwort (Stellaria graminea). At least I think it is, there are some very similar relatives: Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO160, f5.6, 1/160s Another modest white flower, of the wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca): Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/160s The…

As I was taking photos of bluebells , this, um, unusual insect walked towards me: Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO640, f5.6, 1/100s It's one of the weevils ( куркулионоидные , Curculionoidea), but I haven't been able to identify which species it is. Here's a photo where it continues on its way…

The forest holds many treasures. Here are some bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) we found on one of our walks. Bluebells are an increasingly rare species of wild hyacinth mainly found in old forests: Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/125s Some hybridisation may have happened, as we also…

A red bug walking on a high bridge (of sorts): Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO125, f5.6, 1/160s It even looked down! I wouldn't have: Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/100s I suppose there's no fear of heights in those who can fly.

... just some dead leaves. Move along! Olympus Stylus 1s, 200mm, ISO125, f2.8, 1/400s This comma ( Углокрыльница c-белое , Polygonia c-album), named after the white markings on its wings, is actually quite colourful when seen from the top with its wings open: Olympus Stylus 1s, 300mm, ISO200…

This holly blue ( Голубянка весенняя , Celastrina argiolus) I saw the other evening has found a comfortable place: Olympus Stylus 1s, 200mm, ISO200, f8, 1/250s These little butterflies are called boomblauwtje ("small tree blue") in Dutch. They like to sit in trees, and the top side of their wings…

Четвертого мая мы вспомнили наших мертвых из второй мировой войны в Нидерландах. Сегодня снова, Я также думал о взводе русских солдат, которые как раз вовремя освободили моего деда из немецкого лагеря. Большое спасибо, кто бы вы ни были, и дайте вам покой, если вас уже нет с нами.

The peat moss is growing nicely, giving some pools the appearance of thick pea soup with the odd frog for meat: Olympus Stylus 1s, 300mm, ISO400, f8, 1/125s, wet feet Even where the growth is less abundant, the frogs are sitting noticeably higher in the water: Olympus Stylus 1s, 300mm, ISO200…

No, not the Homo sapiens rabidusauri , but a moth called green longhorn (Adela reaumurella). I saw this unusual creature on one of my walks in the forest. It was easy to spot, but too small to photograph quickly; this is the best shot I could get: Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO200, f8, 1/160s It is…