Peacock at Snakeholme

Last night we watched Wigan Warriors play local rivals Leigh Leopards. We were a lot better than the last few weeks, but still lost,18-6!  We don't seem to have improved, but others have seriously upped their game and edged past us. We didn't make any new signings for this season, though we do seem to have temporarily acquired a long in the tooth Rugby Union winger, who is not making the first team. Maybe we wouldn't have hit this slump if we'd acquired some proper new blood...

For Blips, Brian and I decided we should go out to Snakeholme Pit, a tiny nature reserve just past Fiskerton. WOW!! It was full of butterflies. So many, and several types. All the usual white ones, Skippers, Red Admirals, Peacocks, Commas, also several Damselflies and Dragonflies and plenty of bees.

Of course there were many horseflies too... I take it back that they no longer like my blood.  They were on me like the starving Infected in the 28.... Later movies! I have been doing some reading about horse flies, and they're very interesting. 

The males are peaceful creatures who feed on nectar and do not bite you. During mating season, which is in Summer, the females need to gorge themselves on blood in order to be able to mate and reproduce. Their mouth parts are scissor-like to help them bite into horses, deer, etc, and of course us when they have the chance. They also feed on nectar and all horseflies are fantastic pollinators and a great asset to the eco system. So I can't hate them too much really, even if my legs feel like they're on fire now.

There is an extra of Minstrel in moth slaying mode, up on top of the door to the living room! The moth (a meal moth) is still there and safe as I type.