A short stroll............................................ that took up two hours of my life

I work every other Saturday morning and finish at 12.30.

I have the use of a company van for my commute and as it wasn't used all morning it baked in the beautiful sunshine we had today.
The temperature on the dashboard as I got in flashed up at 36c that's 98.6 Fahrenheit.
The outside temperature was actually 26c (79F) and quite pleasant but for a few seconds I could really appreciate what my friends in the US have recently been suffering... it isn't pleasant.

I have to pass my favourite place for walking/wildlife watching on my homeward journey and parked in the lay by at the eastern side of Neumanns Flash for a quick stroll.

The Gorse Bushes were really Popping!!

If you stand beside a gorse bush in summer you can hear the seed pods popping open.

The heat of the sun dries them out and as they crack open they twist and flick the seeds up to three metres from the parent plant.

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillers are all over the Ragwort.

 I pass my favourite place for walking/wildlife watching on my homeward journey so took advantage of the fine weather for a quick stroll around Neumanns Flash.

Sorry about this shot....but some of the Gatekeepers were in the mood.....

..... while others were showing signs of age.

Ragwort is a poisonous plant.
 Insects can absorb this to make then toxic to predators.

I spotted this Toad crossing the path and hurried him across...

...cyclists out enjoying the nice weather could have run him over.

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)

I see these in the garden but it's always a pleasure to see them on my walks.

You can walk around the flash in about 15 minutes.....

..... joggers in no time at all.

I took over two hours......... a lovely afternoon and these images are just a reflection of my day.