The joy of ants

The kids have got a glass-walled enclosure for keeping and observing ants. We were very excited a few weeks ago to receive our test tube of ants in the post. We released them into the enclosure and expected great things.

Here's a picture of the enclosure now.

Can't see any ants? Take a closer look at the bit of soil we were sent in the post.

You're right, there doesn't appear to be any ants at all.

To be honest the most we've ever seen is two at a time. On reading through the blurb, it confirms that the ants you get sent in the post are not the type that have a queen, so we'll never get any more ants than we have now.

I think we'll need to get another batch of ants.When we do, I'll put a picture on here.

Logan's Run Fell Race - the video

Growing butterflies

We found some catterpillars at the end of the summer and put them in a jar with fresh nettles each few days. We enjoyed watching them grow and build cocoons. Then we kept checking them to see when they would emerge.

A few weeks ago, all three emerged as small tortoiseshell butterflies. This should be a time of joy as we watch them fly across the flower-filled meadows to take part in the great circle of life. However, ours emerged to a distinctly cold spell at the end of October.

I think they are now hibernating in the shed. At least I hope they are.

Moles - love or war?

We saw this line of molehills in a field. I'm not sure of the size of moles' territories, but it looks like two coming together. So were we witnessing a beautiful moment in these two moles' lives, or were they fighting over the best bit of the field?

More kitten action

Here's Cleo showing her killer instinct. We hope she'll be this good with mice once she grows up a bit.

 

 

Fungus season

We went for a walk the other day and found lots of fungi in the fields. Here are a few of the better looking ones. I think we've got ink cap and puffball. We also had a look in a wildlife book and we think the one bottom-right might the nasty-sounding "sickener". I thought the little purple one was quite interesting. Feel free to add any names, or correct mine.

Kitten

My sister has been mithering me to update my blog. And she's absolutely right. It's been about a month. So here's a pici of our new cat, Cleo. Enjoy, big sis!

Our existing big bruiser cat, Casper is currently showing how unbothered he is by sitting on the table above Cleo and cleaning himself.