Common Blue Butterfly - September 2018

If I thought that Autumn was on the way last week, then this week it seemed it had definitely arrived. Temperatures were considerably lower, the skies were greyer, and there was much less insect activity than there had been only a couple of weeks ago.

However, there were a few insects out and about braving the conditions. This Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus), known for the stunning blue colouration on its wings, was one of them. Don't you think the patterning on the underside of the wing is just as stunning though?

Greenbottle - September 2018

There were quite a few Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) flies around the garden too. I thought the colours of this one contrasted well with the autumnal colours of the Pieris bush.

Pairing - September 2018

The skies were almost white, they were so washed out by the sun trying to break through, though this pair of Collared Doves (Streptopelia decaocto) didn't seem to mind...

Blue Tits - September 2018

...neither did this frolicking pair of Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) as they foraged the branches of the tree for food.

Magpie - September 2018

Everyone scattered when this quite boisterous juvenile Magpie (Pica pica) crashed into the same tree to say hello!

Goldfinch - September 2018

Meanwhile a lone Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) picked out a vantage point in a different tree, probably looking for the rest of his troupe.

Orange - September 2018

Though Autumn had come, there was still some colour emerging from new blooms. I always find it difficult to get a good photograph of a Gladiolus bloom, but I quite liked the look of this shot of a subtly coloured orange one.

Magenta - September 2018

I wasn't so happy with this one though, as I found it remakably difficult to get a decent composition.

Maroon - September 2018

Much more photogenic, for me at least, was this lovely Cactus Dahlia 'Nuit d'Ete' bloom.

Nerine - September 2018

It looked like there would be more colour to come too, as there was a solitary flower spike rising from a pot of Nerine bowdenii bulbs.

Pyracantha - September 2018

I thought it would be quite interesting to compare this image of a berry laden Pyracantha bush with a similar image I took last week. Do you prefer the grey / white or blue sky background? I can't make my mind up!

Bay Berry - September 2018

The Bay Tree (Laurus nobilis) was starting to generate berries, which would be turning black as we approached Winter.

Willowherb Wisps - September 2018

Although there were still quite a few Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) blooms about, some of the plants had started to generate seed. I always think their dispersal mechanism makes an interesting shot.

Crocosmia Capsules - September 2018

Images of Crocosmia seed capsules are also worth capturing at this time of year, as they actually sell surprisingly well!

EBR - September 2018

Finally an old fishy friend! It's been a while since I posted a pic of Eric, my Electric Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi). He's still king of his particular domain, chasing away the Danios and Corydoras catfish that have the temerity to go anywhere he feels is his own territory - which basically means anywhere in the tank! He's less confident when it comes to challenging my Golden Bristlenose (Ancistrus), which is now a little larger than him, but that's probably because she doesn't react to his bullying tactics!

So, this week I went with Common Blue Butterfly as my Image of the Week simply because I thought the under wing pattern was just as stunning as the colourful topside...