beauty is not only shell deep

...another grey and windy day with the occasional drizzly shower. When I got to the top of the hill by Townsend Quarry, I could hardly believe how cold that wind was after the recent balmy weather.

The cool, brisk air was having a devastating effect on flying insects, or any insects for that matter! The only sign of invertebrate life in the hedgerow was to be found nearer ground level and consisted almost entirely of slugs and snails. I took a beautiful photo of some blackberry in full, fresh flower, which was very nearly today's blip. However, I don't intend to give up on subjects from the animal kingdom just yet.

This Cornu aspersum is one of the species that we know of as garden snails and is, technically, edible, though it is more usually considered to be a pest than a delicacy. Many people recognise the beauty to be found in snails shells but are less forthcoming in seeing anything beautiful in the creature within, so, to challenge this view, just have a look at the amazing reticulated pattern on this one's skin...