All photos taken using hand-held Canon Powershot A640Some people consider ivy to be an invasive plant, clinging to walls and drying out mortar, thus damaging brickwork and if left unchecked can quickly swamp a flower border and even a lawn. This is true, but if managed properly, it is an extremely important plant for nature. Birds nest in it and eat the berries in winter and insects of all sorts adore it as a food source and also a home.
A vital plant for any garden worth its salt as a nature garden.
Lovely Red Admiral and Comma shots,very sharp.
ReplyDeleteLove the rich colours,superb detail.
I would also like to thank you for your comments on our Blog,the Painted Lady was Sue's.
John.
...wow! Really nice. When enlarged the close-ups are spectacular. Love the detail on the antenna.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree John. The bottom of my garden is completely overtaken with ivy; and lots of insects too, including the Holly Blue.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the Red Admiral; a stunning butterfly.
Beautiful macro shots John.
ReplyDeleteHi John...then my garden must be worth its salt : }
ReplyDeleteYour right you have to cut it back and let it know who is the boss.. haha! It will take over the city if you let it!!
Very lovely your photo's of these two beauties!
Grace
Dear John, these photographs are beautiful, thank you! (And it is so difficult to "catch" a butterfly on a picture). Ivy - especially the old ivy with its beautiful berries - is so fine - I think an old (or new) wall should be found for it (mustn't be the house, though :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images...lovely to have nature coming to you with the right plants in your garden.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to know this about ivy. I will definitely treat it with more respect! Beautiful photos of beautiful butterfies, as always.
ReplyDeleteThe ivy in the local hedgerows is attracting many Red Admirals here at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThis late summer is extending the butterfly season I think. I regret clearing the ivy from the rockery at the end of my garden as there were frogs living in it. Perhaps it will grow back.
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos, by the way.
Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteThankyou, too kind!
You are more than welcome for the comments made, you both take some stunning photos!
J
Hi Kelly,
ReplyDeleteThankyou, I am quite pleased with them.
J
Hi Keith,
ReplyDeleteThankyou. Ivy gets a bad press, but is a lovely plant when managed properly. It`s as tough as old boots and anyone can grow it ;)
J
Thanks Roy!
ReplyDeleteJ
Hi Grace,
ReplyDeleteThankyou. Yes, show it who`s boss and it will reward you with lovely insects and birds!
J
Hi Britta,
ReplyDeleteThankyou. Yes, one place I wouldn`t advise growing ivy on is a house wall, anywhere else though!
J
Hi Andrew,
ReplyDeleteThankyou. Yes, if you plant it, they will come! ;)
J
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteThankyou. Ivy is an unsung hero as far as I am concerned, an essential plant for wildlife. Grow it, if you have the space.
J
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteI have seen a large number of Red Admirals, which has made a pleasing change with the poor summer this year.
J
Hi Bazza,
ReplyDeleteThankyou. The ivy should grow back if the roots weren`t removed, it`s a difficult plant to get rid of! Treat it hard and it will reward you with nature.
You often get Red Admirals and Peacocks at this time of year (as well as other butterflies), a bit of sun and they fly about. I have seen these in December and January, if it is sunny enough,as they do hibernate.
J
Wonderfull butterfly, great images ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Dominic, you are too kind!
ReplyDeleteJ