We had a brief respite from the rain yesterday. I spent some time in Sheepcote Valley, looking for kestrels (I saw a couple in the distance) but eventually settled down to see what insect life I could find. The spot I chose is deep in the valley, and relatively sheltered.
A small crop of mushrooms caught my attention. Mushrooms, like moths, are beyond my powers of identification unless they are hugely distinctive (which these weren't).
It was while I was on the ground photographing these that I noticed the ladybirds. I'm so used to seeing them in gardens that it feels like a surprise to see them in more natural surroundings.
7-spot ladybird
On closer inspection it appeared that the ladybirds were farming their food supply. Ladybirds are particular partial to aphids and indeed are commonly used as a biological control in organic gardens. 
Blackfly aphids
We seem to have about 48 hours of near-constant rain forecast, so opportunities for more photography may be limited over the next couple of days (but you never know… the rain may miss us (unlikely) or I can always look for a soggy fox). So much for summer…
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D. The landscape was shot with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. The rest were taken with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.
gdare
25 Aug 2010Those mushrooms don`t look edible, so don`t take chances :left:
Words
26 Aug 2010Erwin, thanks!
SittingFox
26 Aug 2010I've noticed a few fungi appearing too. I suppose that's one organism at least which appreciates the rain :whistle:
Interesting shots of the ladybirds and their aphid farm!
Words
26 Aug 2010Darko, I never take chances with things like that. I *know* that I don't know. I'm happy just to photograph them.
Words
26 Aug 2010Adele, I'll have to take a look in the garden to see if any of the regular fungi have poked their heads above ground. It's been a good year for ladybirds (not so great for aphids, I guess).
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Interesting Pict