The usual six legged suspects lined up :

Been awhile since my last post; it had been raining mostly over the past weeks or so and although I’ve had a few visitors from the World of Moths, other things have kept me from doing much on the Internet.

Last year I’d stopped smoking very sudden and I had no problem, as long as I had fresh fruit around me to nibble or snack on. Then after three months, we were to go and see Elsje, my dear mother in Holland. Our birthdays are a week apart and we’d always said that in 2007 we’d celebrate them together because we’d be 50 and 75. With the trip causing me much pain again, I soon turned to nicotine again for some form of relief.
I’d promised myself that I’d quit again, most likely in summer when there would be more fresh fruit available. Ad yes of course, I know; summer is almost over. My freezer part of our fridge has a fair amount of watermelon wedges which are great to nibble on. And chill out at the same time.
Yesterday I’d hoped to get out onto the road, but again, persistent showers kept me in, and the same today.

I did however delve into my new books. I got myself a Concise Guide to the Moths of Britain and Ireland, spiral bound which lies open flat without the need of extra hands. {I mostly buy hardback when I get new books, just because paperbacks are often too hard to fold open. If you recognize this problem than just try it out with just the one hand, while your’e reading. The best is soft back, but these are not as widely available as they used to be. Yes, I know, hardback can be just as horrible as paperback. But the difference is that you can “shape” it as you require and get it to work for you.

I also got Roger Lovegrove’s book, Silent Fields. A book on my wish list since it date of publication.
I write about fictional creatures set in a UK landscape of before Man. Later eras I use too, and knowledge about the way Man dealt with the many species he considered vermin, and which species was dealt with first and to what extent, is quite essential.

It is not pleasant reading of course; it is still a report on the downfall of many species of wildlife, which used to be commonplace in all kind of habitats in the UK.

A book on Wildflowers I got myself too. One by Marjorie Blamey and the brothers Fitter, recommended by Jenny Seawright. Which she thought would help me with ID’s of those Wild Flowers/Grasses, and Rushes I might meet on my travel.
And a general Wildlife Guide (Collins) with bits on Insects, Butterflies and Moths, Mammals, Birds, Fungi, Amphibians/Reptiles, Wildflowers, Fish. Oh, and Trees too.
These will keep me occupied for a while, I’d like to think.

In the meantime, Eurosport is focusing on Beijing. As am I from my table in the kitchen, about 5metres from my TV. I’d prefer to watch interactive with the Beeb, our Sky box is on the blink somewhere. One of the guys removing the fireplace, yesterday, and replacing it with a modern one (help!) told us that the Sky box would need replacing after 6 years; and as we’ve got it 8 years, we’d be eligible. If it works that easily, I doubt.
Anyone ever replaced their box?

To please the US, the Olympic Committee in Beijing has planned the swimming and Athletics finals at a suitable time to watch for the general American public, even though it means that we have to stay up till 3am for them to start, and then watch from that time on.

8 days ago, I found two Micro Moths again. One, a beautiful light sienna one, I found on the windowsill. Soon I noticed that it had not been stuck indoors since the night before, but had been trapped inside the kitchen longer than that; its wings were like rice paper, but a lot more fragile.
The other one, I spotted quite by accident, as it was on the floor underneath the bookcase It was another Dark-barred Twinspot Carpet.

A few days ago, getting out into the garden to see who and what was about, I spotted this little Beetle in the porch; It was climbing and walking very fast on the wall, enjoying the Sunshine. What was weird about this Beetle? It almost seemed as if it had a transparent body covering. Somehow I was able to see the body underneath its shell, or so it seemed. My OH thought it to be a reflection in the Sun, but I’m not sure. It has a light grey band around the shell. And at the front part has some light grey bits too

Yesterday morning I had another Moth on my window, one which again entered my tub easily and came with me outside into the early Sunshine at 6am. It warmed up for about 15 minutes, the tub set on top of one of the (gate)pillars while I chased the Swallows (without luck) and when it refused to come out, I put it in the window where it faced the Sun directly. I concentrated the camera on my Sparrows near the planter, enjoying their breakfast of peanut cake, peanuts or seeds. Focusing onto the grass for a minute, I spotted this lovely little white Moth flying about. Looking at the tub, all I could do was smile at the Moth. Well done to you!

A late addition to the Robin juveniles; only just starting to turn colourAlien BeetleThis month's unidentified Moths sofar;Mystery Sienna Moth, 1 Aug 2008-Mystery-8 Aug 2008-MicroMothPoor Junior, totally drenchedOne of the Chaffinches (male) enjoying SunflowerseedsFennel in the rainMy Fennel is a haven for winged Insects