Friday 22 June 2012

Vanity Kills

Mowing grass verges is an English condition that is detrimental for the plants and insects that live there. The overwhelming attitude is 'you can't let the grass grow, it looks untidy'. Our urge for tidiness sadly means that we are mowing plants, and hundreds of different species of insects, moths, and butterflies, out of existence. And birds, mammals, and amphibians are deprived of food and shelter.

There are some high profile campaigns coming to the fore looking to change this. Hopefully, through education, we can encourage an approach that is less about us and our visual perception of what looks good, but what science tells us is good - life in all its diversity, thriving.

Next time you see the council mowers, spare a thought for all the butchered inhabitants....and if you feel strongly then support Plantlife's Campaign.

Cinnabar Moth
St John's Wort Beetles
Bee Orchid
Grass Veneer
Xysticus cristatus
Tenthredo arcuata

Sunday 17 June 2012

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Try this at home

Pointed my small refracting telescope at the Sun today. Yes, it's still there! And with a filter in place, of course, I took a couple of photos showing some sunspots using a canon DSLR and a macro lens, focusing on the image as seen through the eyepiece.