Meadow Cranesbill

At last the sun has returned, after five days of continuous grey cloud. I captured this shot of meadow cranesbill Geranium pratense in the morning, when the low sun was shining through the petals, making them glow.

Normally meadow cranesbill flowers in mid-summer, but in eastern England we've had a rather peculiar year weatherwise. Hot, dry weather in June and July meant that many summer flowers shrivelled up early, while cool and predominantly damp weather in August and September has caused a second flowering of many species, as well as a wonderful flush of fungi.

At the moment I have wild strawberry, red campion, a range of cranesbills and a beautiful Rubus Beneden in flower, and about a month ago our April-flowering alpine clematis had a second bloom.

The sunshine also seems to have tempted out the last remaining insects. This morning we went to Holme Fen and saw small copper and red admiral butterflies, and plenty of common darter dragonflies. This afternoon, while gardening I noticed wasps, hoverflies and a range of other flies all sunning themselves. With cold nights forecast, I don't suppose they'll be around much longer.

A photo of the small copper can be found here