Pearls

It was worth the effort to get up an hour earlier.  As Gus and I walked up the Knott onto the east-facing bank, listening to the babble of a garden warbler, the limestone grassland was studded with pearls.  First I saw one, then another, then more and more.  Newly emerged small pearl bordered fritillaries warming up in the milky sunshine.  The wings of those in full sun were already open and they were starting to take flight, while in the shade of trees and bushes, they were still like this one on a carnation sedge, wings folded, waiting for the warmth.  I saw my first of the year yesterday, and today they were plentiful.

The show tomorrow may depend on whether the thunder rolling around us this evening turns into a full-blown storm with lashing rain.  If it does, today's crop may not have timed their emergence very well.

The remarkably warm weather for early June has galvanised Reg into action.  It was as well I was working at home, for when I went out with Gus for a walk round the garden at 4 pm, I thwarted the Great Escape.  There he was on the outer low wall of the garden, looking for a way down, having somehow breeched the defences that Mr Smith built for us last year.  I don't know where he climbed over, and hopefully I now have all the potential weak spots protected against a climbing tortoise.  Fingers crossed.

It's nearly 4 weeks since the last blip.  Much has happened since then.  I may try and illustrate a few events if time permits over the next week or so.