Sweeping the sky

This photo was taken on the “Strabrechtse Heide”, a large heath area in the south of The Netherlands. With a bit of imagination it looks like the little tree is sweeping the sky.

Darter time again

As a true “Kempenaar” I really wanted the Marsh Darter (Sympetrum depressiusculum/Kempense Heidelibel) in my portfolio. It is a highly localized species that only occurs in the “Kempen” (region crossing the border between The Netherlands and Belgium) and appears quite late in the summer season. In previous years I only managed to take some record shots. Luckily, today this male was highly cooperative. The dewdrops are a welcome decoration, getting up early always pays off.

Unexpected encounter

At first sight there was not much to see on my regular evening tour at the marshy fields near the place where I live ... until I saw a soaring Swallowtail (Papilio machaon/Koninginnepage). He (or she) was clearly searching for a suitable place to stay overnight. Swallowtails are rather scarce in The Netherlands, although in the last few years, due to global warming, they turn-up more often in the southern provinces. I dedicate this photo to my dear grandmother who died last spring and would have been celebrated her 98-th birthday today.