Bird, bug, butterfly and a wild variety of photos from Belarus, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain by Irish wildlife photographer Patrick J. O'Keeffe and invited guests

Friday 23 October 2020

LESSER GARDEN SPIDER (Metellina segmentata) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 
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The Lesser Garden Spider (Metellina segmentata) is of the family Tetragnathidae which is in the genus Metellina.This is a common late summer and autumn species of orb spider. Seperate with care from the extremely similiar
Summer Orbweaver (Metellina mengei) which tends to occure earlier in the season but they can overlap. 
 On female Lesser Garden Spider the black strip beneath the abdomen ends at the epigyne. On Summer Orbweaver the black stripe is more extensive and the male has long hairs on the underside of the fore tarsi. Examination by microscope is the only 100% reliable means of 
identification of these two species.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / RAW birds

 

Wednesday 21 October 2020

PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Aglais io) at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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The Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It overwinters as an adult with its wings closed and the dark cryptic under wing pattern help it avoid detection by predators.
 
 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Monday 19 October 2020

MEADOW BROWN BUTTERFLY (Maniola jurtina) on COMMON KNAPWEED WILDFLOWER (Centaurea nigra) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 
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Click here for detailed Meadow Brown Butterfly information
Click here for detailed Common Knapweed Wildflower information
 
The Meadow Brown Butterfly (Maniola jurtina) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Maniola.
The Common Knapweed Wildflower (Centaurea nigra) or Lesser Knapweed is of the family Asteraceae which is in the genus Centaurea.

Saturday 17 October 2020

RAFT SPIDER (Dolomedes fimbriatus) [Female] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 
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The Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is a semi-aquatic member of the family Pisauridaeone which is in the genus Dolomedes. It is one of Ireland’s largest spiders. Also known as the Hunting Spider or the Jesus Christ spider for its ability to walk on water. It occurs in sphagnum bogs. Main prey items include aquatic and terrestrial insects, invertebrates as well as tadpoles

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Wednesday 14 October 2020

Monday 12 October 2020

FOUR SPOTTED CHASER DRAGONFLY or FOUR SPOTTED SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (Libellula quadrimaculata) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 
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The Four-spotted Chaser Dragonfly (Libellula quadrimaculata) is of the family Aeshnidae which is in the genus Libellula. It occurs in the temperate regions of Europe and Asia. It is also found in North America where it is known as the Four-spotted Skimmer. The flight season is from mid April to early September. 

 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Saturday 10 October 2020

SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 
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The Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria) is of the family Acanthosomatidae which is in the genus Pararge. This is a very common species and is found throughout the Palearctic region. It occurs in a wide variety of habitats including urban gardens with a preference for shaded areas. Overwintering either as a lava or a pupa enables an extended flight season from April to October.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Wednesday 7 October 2020

COMMON RED SOLDIER BEETLE (Rhagonycha fulva) on WILD ANGELICA WILDFLOWER (Cicindela campestris) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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Click here for detailed Common Red Soldier Beetle information
Click here for detailed Wild Angelica Wildflower information
 
The Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) is of the family Cantharidae which is in the genus Rhagonycha.
The Wild Angelica Wildflower (Angelica sylvestris) is of the family Apiaceae which is in the genus Angelica