Friday 21 July 2017

Wildflowers

Common Ragwort


This year, for various reasons, we have done almost no gardening. The garden is full of wildflowers. Wild, as in wild and out of control. Most spectacular are the seven foot high stands of Ragwort. Like most people, I grew up with the belief that Ragwort is so toxic if you look at it you will die. It isn't, although I wouldn't want to eat a whole plateful. The Ragwort is a joy, constantly buzzing with insects around the clock - a couple of nights ago after dark I counted 12 species of micromoth on it in under an hour. A family of hedgehogs has moved in, returning to the garden after a 25 year absence. Wildlife gardening, as in wild and out of control.


Common Ragwort, Senecio jacobaea.

Nikon D7200
Tokina 100mm f/2.8
f9 1/200 ISO 100