Recognising Butterflies

I admit I am not good at recognising most things to do with nature. I tend to soak in the beauty and wonder of it all rather than add to my knowledge of what each insect, butterfly, moth and beetle are called. That is, I tend to recognise things that sting and bite but let the rest fly freely in my mind. But occasionally, I do get interested in names in order to communicate, as with the rest of knowledge, and life in general.

Earlier this year, We had quite a few lovely butterflies fluttering around the flowing shrubs. I did not think they were Red Admirals and yet...

So I looked on the Internet and asked around. Could this be a new variety of a Red Admiral? I was assured it was common.

The Saturday Telegraph has at last put me right. I have attached here a photograph of what is called a Small Tortoiseshell. According to a survey done a short while ago it comes ninth in the 'sightings league'. The Red Admiral is eighth. I have put a copy of a cutting from Saturday 28th August 2010 here, along with their photo of and mine of the Small Tortoiseshell. I guess there IS beauty in a name as well as the object it represents.

Now I am interested in knowing butterfly names. I expect my brain can find room for a few more facts after all!

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Ulverston Carnival in Pictures

It is difficult to choose from over 100 photos, all of which show an aspect of the 2010 Ulverston Carnival held last Saturday July 3rd. As usual, we were late arriving at the top end of Sautergate where the Carnival passes, but we then went down the bottom of the road and elsewhere to catch parts we missed. A lovely sunny day and masses of people taking part, especially children. Lots of music from various bands and many dance groups looking gorgeous in their brilliant costumes. Tiny tots, weary from it all. slept in their push chairs as the afternoon progressed. It is amazing the trouble people go to to make it such a success. We did not catch any of the dancers performing. Indeed, by the time some of them reached where we stood they must have been worn out! How stirring were the bands, and jolly the less formal ones. Our photos tend to pick up the 'natural', For, at the corner where we stood, there was much waiting while those before and after did their 'thing' to an appreciative audience. (More crowds there) But I love the 'natural' look on many faces as they were caught off guard.
The whole thing was a wonderful feast of colour, music and movement, which left all of our senses alive and reeling! WELL DONE every single person taking part AND those behind the scenes.

Click on pictures to enlarge.
To see MORE PHOTOS OF THE CARNIVAL, click on Diary Of A Country Lady