East Blatchington Pond, Seaford, Sussex

This is what I get up to when I want a change from scanning LNER locos of the 1920s.

I seem to have uploaded this one twice, but put the other one into groups - so you may have seen this photo before. I have deleted the other one, as it had less 'views'.

Adapting to the modern environment, a bit like sun-bathing on a lilo, or a one-dragonfly protest against carrier bags and litter?

I think the flower is Wild Marjoram.

20.4.2012 - Another sighting - in the water. Although I saw the Red-eyed Slider swimming, initially I only managed to photograph the ripples as it dived, but then after a few minutes' wait took a few photos of its head as it swam along, before diving again.

One of the Ctenophora species of Crane fly - or a close relative . They are wasp mimics. The pointy tail is an ovipositor - it's a female. Many of this group are nationally scarce - a lovely find. This tells you a bit about them: www.eakringbirds.com/eakringbirds4/insectscraneflies.htm This information was given by a visitor to my Flickr insect set.

14.8.2021 I came past this sign yesterday and it is now clearly visible!

This escapee into the wild area around our local pond, was down in the grasses by the water's edge, so I couldn't get a clear shot. I think the delicate sprinkling of seed heads actually looks quite pretty.

There seem to be very few butterflies around this year. I don't think that I have seen more than a couple of any species. We have a Holly Blue in our garden fairly frequently and an odd Small White. I think I have seen a Comma, a Peacock, a Painted Lady and a handful of Tortoiseshells. There are a couple of Speckled Woods in their usual corner of our churchyard. Bee and Hoverfly numbers are also down significantly. I haven't been out specifically looking for insects, but usually they have just been there when I have been walking & snapping.