I hadn’t knowingly seen a green hairstreak butterfly before but there were two of them flying and landing near where I sat this afternoon (at dog training) and for once I had the right lens on.
We have a couple of late calving cows in the field in front of the house, and it was quite magical yesterday to see that this dun one had given birth, on her own away from the others. I didn’t want to disturb her by going any closer, so please excuse the distant photograph.
She sat looking at the calf for some time, in the same place on their own. She stood up when some guests walked into the field to look at the view, some distance away, watching them intently but not moving away from the calf or in their direction. Later, when I next looked out, the rest of the cows and calves had come over to have a look. There was something quite special about a new born being introduced into the family group. Today they are all grazing together as one unit again.
I am really enjoying the woodland trees flowering. The willows are particularly beautiful and it is great to see the extent of the natural regeneration away from the seed source beginning to thicken up the hill.
Lambing continues…the thrills and spills, and long days for the farmer. These ewes and lambs are on their way back to the hill.
