Moo

No animals were hurt in the making of this picture! Seen on Oxford Rd, Manchester.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.4

Media City

A night time view of some of the new buildings at Salford's Media City development, Salford Quays.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.4

Harlequin Ladybird larva

On an Irlam garden wall. I believe this to be the larva of the Harlequin Ladybird, Harmonia axyridis. A recently arrived invasive species, this insect has spread rapidly north and westwards since first sightings in the southeast of the UK.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3

River Medlock

Here in Manchester, where Princess Street becomes Brook Street, the River Medlock emerges from a culvert that has taken it below this part of the city centre. At first sight it seems devoid of life and dead save for a few marginal weeds. Closer inspection reveals the presence of many little fish. They were easy to see around the sandy area near the tyre.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.2

Geological Garden

Another view of the rock specimens in the geological garden of Manchester Museum. Located on Bridgeford Street, Manchester.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.2

Ruby Tailed Wasp

Saw this quite attractive insect the other day. A bit less than 1cm long. Never seen one before. It's not a fly but a parasitic wasp of a genus called Chrysis. They parasitise other insects like Mason Bees that raise their offspring in walls. This explains why it was systematically
going up and along ALL the mortar joints of a very big wall!

Claypits

A pond situated in Rixton Claypits Nature Reserve. The reserve is located between Irlam and Warrington. It stands on land used by a local brickworks for extraction of clay during the first half of the 20th Century. The site is now a Special Area for Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.