The Cats of Llanfyllin

We see a few cats quite regularly in and around our yard, especially the all-black one (maybe we should call it Kiwi!). We always have to qualify whether we're saying we've seen a blackcap (bird species) or black cat (yes, our hearing is also part of the problem 😂). I'll have to learn to specify Eurasian blackcap in future.

This spooky cat is almost friendly!

This little rascal was seen hunting birds on our lawn one morning

This beauty keeps its distance from us, but comfortably uses our front lawn to leisurely clean itself in the sunshine.

Photo: D. Schultz 

These next cats live quite a bit further from our house, and aren't skittish

I've yet to capture the friendly 3 legged cat with unique markings on its face. We've see it at the bottom of our lane, and it has permitted some petting.

Needle in a Haystack

After having spent so much time looking at tiny details on butterfly hindwings, insect mandibles and plant serrations, my discerning eye noticed a sewing needle lying in this dry grass near the town well. It was the glint in the sun that caught my eye

I took it home, because well ... nuns at school taught me that everything was valuable since someone had made it!

Blood-vein Moth

What a beautiful moth! This beauty landed on me and I had to call Dale to capture it without me disturbing it.

It's a blood-vein moth (Timandra comae), widespread in Wales, with beautiful, fringed antennae which you can see against my sleeve if you look closely.

Restored Wetlands

Our town was permitted to put in a tarred carpark near the local store, provided we also established a wetland habitat as a buffer between the asphalt surface and the River Cain. It's become a beautiful spot full of butterflies and other pollinators that buzz.

I'm learning not to panic when I see stands of Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria ) - they're native here, and I don't need to pull them out (though the urge is strong!).

 Which route to choose?

The willow being trained over this part of the walkway is progressing nicely