Dorset Sunday Stroll

Dawning fair of face, this morning we took an ambling stroll through the fields around Stalbridge (above). There was a reason actually. A chance phone call to a photographer friend in the northeast last week discovered he'd been on the quest for buttercup stock-shots for a client, and having no luck. This made me think, as there are field after field of buttercups down here, I'll photograph some and e-mail him. He liked what I sent him, although today he'd finally managed some himself at Cleadon Hills, a place I'd recommended he have a look at up there.

Anyway moving onto the walk, or a slow stroll with many photographs, saw Border messing about with botany (and sneezing) in meadows; such as this Ribwort Plantain, Plantago lanceolata and arty shot of Hogweed, Heracleum sphondylium. But the main quarry, was Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris. I'll let the following 4 photographs do the talking... you're probably tired of me blathering on anyway (click to enlarge if the mood takes you).

And I have to say it was an absolutely glorious walk. Hopefully the images show how the Blackmore Vale is in full spring colour mode in the strong sunshine. I became totally obsessed and took over 70 images of buttercups and other flowers.

Later in the day just a few miles away near King's Stag (aptly enough) I spied this lovely Roe Deer in buttercups, which was just perfect for today's theme really. He stood here for a good 2-3 minutes before the nerves got the better of him and he was away into the woods.

Never let it be said though I neglect the Corvids. Isn't this a beauty? We'd put some stale bread out, and within seconds had 2 Jackdaws were on the lawn. Bread isn't ideal at this time of the year because of chicks, but a small amount won't pose too many problems. And I always think every little helps the birds at this time of year when it's the annual mayhem of making nests, producing eggs and feeding young. I always keep a feeder topped up at this time of the year for that reason.

I forgot to say in yesterdays posting a Stoat ran in front of me a couple of times, just outside Sherborne. That's the first one I've seen for about 6 months. Again like the Jackdaw above it was in wonderful pelage (coat).

Finally does anyone know what this is? Please don't say Damselfly. But what species? I can't find it anywhere in the reference books. If you click to enlarge a better photo. I've e-mailed this to a friend who knows everything about wildlife, actually what he knows staggers me. But if any of you of the blogging community have an idea, I'd appreciate it. Oh and yes it's in Dorset.