Fireweed

The hedgerows are beginning to bloom with tall, pink-flowered Rosebay Willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium).  Also known as Fireweed they are a picture.

The name Fireweed comes from their habit of being the first to colonise bare ground following a fire.  The flowers are spectacular.

Yesterday's walk revealed a new species to me.  a small insect, scurrying around the grasses beside the footpath caught my eye.  It turned out to be one of the many Mirid Bugs to be found in the UK.  Known as a Grass Bug, it has the wonderful name Leptopterna dolabrata and was quite attractive.  As usual, Malcolm was somewhat less than impressed!