The other day I had walked around the edge of a very pretty field of wheat with wild flowers, bees, butterflies and birds in abundance.  This kind of "pastoral" scene is a big part of the English countryside. I had seen a Whitethroat in the hedgerow then and I hoped to get some photos of that bird  when I went back yesterday. I sat in the grass and concealed myself a little bit just to see what passed by.  It turned in to quite a pleasant 90 minutes, just enjoying the relaxing atmosphere and pretty scene. Birds came and went, never really close, but interestingly, Linnets and Yellowhammers.  The latter are much more common this year than I can remember in recent times which is really good news. On almost every outing this last couple of weeks, I have seen them. I have taken quite a few close-up shots recently so this picture doesn't stand comparison with them but is just a record.

This little patch is obviously a glorious habitat with insects in profusion. Bumble Bees always interest me, because there are different species to be seen and it's an extra fascination to be able to identify them which for me is interesting.

 This lovely bee is a dead certainty, and easily identified as a male  Bombus Lapidarius feeding on thistle. Even the most common butterflies are attractive and this one, a Large White was also attracted to the thistle flower which must be a good source of nectar.