Yesterday I saw a beautiful dragonfly over my garden pond - it was quite large - about 8cm and very green. I looked in books and on the website of the British Dragonfly and the Yorkshire Dragonfly conservation sites (did you know such things existed ?) and have come to the conclusion it is a female Aeshna Cyanea, otherwise known as the Southern Hawker. I watched it for ages and not having a camera to hand, took many pics with my small tablet, most of which missed the dragonfly entirely -, and the few that didn't were mostly out of focus and rubbishy. You have to make a leap of faith to see my beautiful dragonfly in this pic
If you look carefully on the edge of the pond under the willow bird's head, you will see its wings over the water and its green body curled over the edge of the stone. You'll have to take my word for how lovely it was.
Then, this morning, as I was pounding the mean streets to clock up my daily quota of steps, I saw two peacocks. To be fair, they are not wild ( they belong in Lady Masham's garden just down the road ) and they are frequently grubbing in the gardens and streets and I see them most days. However today I had my phone with me so was able to take pics.
There are usually four white ones - I don't see the blue one so often.
Visitors always think they are a delight but I think they can be mean - and they make a mess !
