Thursday, 18 June 2020

18th June 2020 #30DaysWild



This all night twilight is called Simmer Dim in Shetland and I have borrowed the term to describe the magical twilight that on a clear night we will see all through the night.  I took this looking out from the garden gate just after midnight. It would have been pin drop quiet if it hadnt been for the rumble of the dredgers. 


We went looking for grasses this evening at about 9pm.  We walked through the field below the farmhouse.  It is looking absolutely stunning.  Grasses flowering and heavy with pollen, Common spotted and Greater butterfly orchids dotted about wherever you look, Ox eye daisies, Yellow rattle..  A very different habitat to the Black Park where we walked the evening before.  This is definitely a field that has been traditionally been cut for hay and more recently silage.  When we first moved here it was predominately Italian rye grass but it has now got a far more diverse sward, if not as productive for hay or silage.  It is certainly better for wildlife! 


Crested dogtail grass


Common velvet grass 



Common velvet grass




I find it really difficult to ID grasses or to remember their names. I appreciate their beauty though, especially on an evening like this.




Farmer and Jan.



Walter


Common spotted orchids






Jan

We were blessed with another wonderful sunset.

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