It's another warm evening here, David. After the brief but violent storm last night it came out very warm and sunny after lunch and possibly even more humid with all the puddles around. There were still storms in the distance.
With barbecue scents wafting around now, it feels more like a Mediterranean than a Middlesex night.
Friday 19th September: after work I went to the nearest place worth a visit: Bedfont Lakes CP again. With 24 degrees at five o'clock and the sun strong, the butterflies had not quite settled down - in fact they were posing nicely. I found the Small Copper I'd seen three days ago and it showed no obvious signs of wear in the interim. The shots I managed today were (in my humble opinion
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
) rather more artistic, though.
I saw a few more Common Blues, eight today altogether and including two females.
In amongst them were at least two Brown Argus, neither of which were the male seen on Tuesday. Despite their advanced age, the male was still frantically pestering the female, but to no avail. Amazing energy!
There were also a couple of Small Heaths, one rather old, but another fairly fresh, and nectaring on ragwort.
This may be an evil weed in some eyes, but late butterflies can't do without it. The Small Copper returned to the same plant many times, as did the Brown Argus. A couple of Whites (one Small, one Large) completed the picture, which was in the end an outing without a Speckled Wood seen...
Or so I thought - however, I spotted one at the roadside near the cargo terminal as I waited at lights on the way home.
Dave