Just around the corner: purple heather fields

RenG

In august is the heather in blume. Tourists from all parts come to enjoy this feast of flowering.

In several parts of Holland you can find fields with Calluna vulgaris. Also around the corner where we live.

People like to stroll on the heather fields. And so do we.

Also several bicyle routes cross the heather fields.

Calluna vulgaris.

The leaves of Calluna vulgaris are small because its very hot on the heather fields. So the plant doesnt lose too quick moist.

Hipparchia semele is a inhabitant of dry areas. This butterfly stands on the Red List of Threatened Species. His camouflage is so good, its hard to find him.

Coenonympha pamphilus is a familiar butterfly on heather.

Erica tetralix grow on moist places. It has such a lovely flower.

There are several paths on the heather fields.

You can find quiet some animals on the heather.

Carduelis cannabina can breed on the heather.

We are happy to see and hear Anthus trivialis.

Sympetrum vulgatum is a dragonfly. He is recognizable by his two coloured legs and moustache.

The young Aeshna mixta flies away from water, that's why we can find him also on the heather.

As usual they are feeding and resting in groups around trees and shrubs.

This is the way they like to rest.

Night moth of the family Geometridae.

Prunus padus

Celastrina argiolus likes the nectar of Calluna vulgaris.

Linyphia makes hammocks spiderwebs on the heather.

The acorn of the quercus is here deformed due to the gall wasp Andricus quercuscalicis.

Not only in autumn you can find mushrooms, also in summertime. This is the Amanita rubescens.

The ring has ridges, one of the feature of this mushroom.

Macrolepiota procera

The hat diameter and height of a mature Macrolepiota procera can reach 40 cm, that is very impressive.

In the sky above the heather, we see fascinating clouds.

Cows are being used as nature conservationists. Here the white ones are Charleroi cattle.

Where there is heather, there will be Cytisus scoparius, growing on loam. Loam holds the water much longer.

The seed of Cytisus scoparius. The seed turns black to absorb the heat of the sun. Adventually the seed burst out.

Gonepteryx rhamni enjoying the warmth of the sun.

Pararge aegeria likes airy deciduous forest, forest paths and borders of the forest where it's a bit open.

We saw another one on the top of a oak tree.

Verbascum thapsus can be two meters tall. The plant is hairy.

Corvus corone is the largest singing bird in Holland.

The Dutch clouds are famous among painters.

Trifolium arvense is also called Rabbitfoot, when you see and feel the plant you understand why.

Campanula rotundifolia between Calluna vulgaris.

Hypericum perforatum are the yellow flowers, it is widely known as an herbal medicine. The yellow and purple colours make you happy.

Betula trees are to find on the heather fields. They have a white bark.

Cirsium lanceolatum is loved by insects.

Every where we see the yellow flowers of Senecio Jacobaea

Senecio Jacobaea is very poisenous . Its dangerous for horses and cows. In the field a cow would not eat this plant.

Caterpillar of Tyria Jacobaeae.

Senecio Jacobaea is the host for Tyria Jacobaeae.

The caterpillar is also poisenous due to the plant he is eating.

The yellow/orange colour warns predators that this caterpillar is poisonous.

Maybe one finds the Achillea millefolium an ordinary plant, but the flowers are so beautiful.

You still can meet many Saxicola rubicola here on the heather.

Its amazing how close we can get. His call sounds like hitting two stones , the names in English is therefore Stonechat.

Hhhmmm, or maybe too close, looking at the expression?