6 spots

It was nice to get out for a walk again this morning having had other things to do for the past few days. So, after doing the household chores, it was off to the Ponds at Straw's Bridge to see what we could see.
There are a few ponds which, together make up the Straw's Bridge area. One of the quieter ones is the pond which, until recently was the temporary home of the Great Reed Warbler. Since that little bird has now gone, all is quieter still. Until the Coots start fighting.

Among the trees around this pond, there are many different shrubs and wild flowers. Some of the most impressive of these have to be the Shrub Roses. The flowers are beginning to fade now, but that means the fruits or 'hips' are starting to ripen. These particular hips are enormous and just starting to turn red.

The Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa) plants are still in full bloom and are proving a great attraction to many and various species of insect. This one was being visited by a 6-Spot Burnet Moth (Zygaena filipendulae).

Back home and a search around the garden revealed a number of wasps (much to Malcolm's consternation) and several of these Hoverflies (Syrphus ribesii). Easy to photograph as they are very trusting little creatures allowing you to get very close.