On Saturday we took a walk at Aqualate Mere Nature Reserve which is just over the county border into Shropshire and quite close to the town of Newport.
We followed the designated pathway towards the Mere passing through lovely woodlands and meadows where butterflies and dragonflies flitted around us.
Eventually we arrived at the first of the two hides on this side of the Mere.
The hides are the only way of getting close to the water and most of the birds were at the opposite end of the Mere. We saw the usual Mallards, Coots and Moorhens, plus Canada Geese and a Golden Eye duck. One of the photographers in the hide saw a Hobby up above and started clicking away with his very sophisticated camera. Apparently it swooped down to take a dragon fly.
He was teaching another photographer how to take both still and action wildlife shots. It all sounded very technical.
With my bridge camera I concentrated on the little birds on the feeders.
Mostly blue tits and great tits. I did see a robin very briefly.
We saw lots of butterflies and dragonflies, plus some interesting plants too.
There were lots of the butterflies flitting around over the wildflower meadows. Above Speckled Wood?
Red Admiral and elderberries
Perhaps a fritillary of some sort? Edit 29/8/17 - thanks to Ragged Robin who saw this was in fact a Small Copper butterfly:)
The native orange balsam flowers have a soft, sweet scent.
Sweet Chestnuts
Horse Tail growing in abundance under the trees
On the way home we called at Shropshire Lavender as it was the last weekend of opening for the season.
Most
of the lavender had been cut but I was able to purchase a few items,
like lavender and goats milk soap and some quince jam that I wanted for birthday presents.
The cafe was open selling lavender scones and cake but we had brought a
picnic with us so didn't indulge.
I must say the little courtyard looked inviting in the afternoon sunshine.
The orchard was quiet and peaceful and full of apples
and also damsons.
There is something so special about the scent and the colour in an orchard at this time of year.
On the way home we called at Shropshire Lavender as it was the last weekend of opening for the season.
Beautiful photos. We went recently to a lavender farm in Hitchin, such a great place to go we had so much fun there.
ReplyDeleteI love to see all the purple lavender stretching for what seems like miles and the scent in the warm air is wonderful:)
DeleteA lovely post with beautiful photos Rosie. The reserve looks a wonderful place to walk and watch wildlife. The first butterfly query looks like Speckled Wood to me too and I think the second orangey one is a Small Copper.
ReplyDeleteI love horsetails - there is something so primeval about them. The Lavender farm sounds a super place to visit too - we once went to the one on the Isle of Wight and I bought a couple of plants, some soap and some cream for dry skin. I was most upset when the latter two items ran out!
Horse Tail is one of the oldest plants around isn't it? I love to see them. I wish I'd bought some soap for myself too but I was just thinking of presents at the time. Thanks very much for the info re the Small Copper butterfly I've amended my post, there were quite a few of them flitting around:)
DeleteWhat a lovely day out. I have seen Aqualate Mere on the map a few times but never managed a visit - it looks a pleasant place to walk with plenty to notice.
ReplyDeleteWe only visited one of the two hides and only walked halfway around it but it was lovely. Very few parking places though probably half a dozen, we only saw about five people the whole time we were there so very quiet and off the beaten track:)
DeleteBeautiful walk surrounded by lovely nature. Wonderful photos to look at. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteThank you Blogoratti, greetings to you too:)
DeleteA beautiful walk! It's always a joy to spot butterflies; I've had quite a few in my garden this year! ( But nowhere near as many as I used to see when I was a child!)
ReplyDeleteThe lavender farm looks delightful! :-)
The lavender farm was lovely although it would have been better to visit in late June early July to get the full effect. The orchard was joy too. Yes, so many butterflies around when we were children compared to now:)
DeleteThat was a lovely walk on a perfect day. I had to look twice at your soap as I read it as soup the first time!
ReplyDeleteHe He! Although lavender and goats milk soup sounds intriguing think I prefer the soap:)
DeleteAll very lush and very English. A walk I would enjoy myself.
ReplyDeleteI always think the bounty of late summer and early autumn does seem very English and always reminds me of childhood, harvest festivals and school nature walks:)
DeleteI like the name of this nature reserve and it looks like a peaceful place to take a walk. It's always pleasing to see many varieties of butterfly. Now that the lavender in our garden has finished flowering I shall be cutting the stems to bring into the house. I do love lavender products and Shropshire Lavender looks like a good place to visit and buy some quality items.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, I've always loved Lavender (and also Rose) scented things. It was lovely to see so many butterflies whilst out and about:)
DeleteWhat a lovely place, feels like a proper summers day walking amongst the wild life. Apples are looking good this year, we visited a similar place on Saturday. Your photos are lovely, a great reminder of the day.
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
It was a gorgeous, sunny day and given it was a bank holiday weekend it was quiet too:)
DeleteSuch a lovely post full of wonderful nature photos. Belated Birthday wishes Rosie! I hope you had a good day. x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Simone. Had a lovely Birthday day on Monday, a wander around a garden and plant fair, lunch out and then home to sit in the garden - perfect:)
DeleteBeautiful post, Rosie, full of the voluptuous beauty of late summer. I have only seen the mere in the winter so it's interesting to see how lush it looks in the summer, and every year I try to persuade my husband that we should go to Shropshire Lavender but he can't see the attraction. Now that I've seen your pics I think I'll go on my own next year! x
ReplyDeleteI bet the Mere is wonderful in winter. The Lavender farm is lovely, best time to visit according to one of the owners is late June early July. We will go back and sit in that courtyard with tea and cake:)
DeleteThis looks like a lovely day out. I particularly like the sight of nature's bounty in the orchard. Thanks for sharing your visit. Marie x
ReplyDeleteThe orchard was heavenly. I could have stayed there for ages:)
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