Small, smaller, smallest

Another sunny and almost windstill day - perfect to have another go and trying to get some decent images of some very small creatuers - the Micropterix calthella moth.

I find them astounding! The longer I spend time with them, the more I am fond of them. Then again, I say that about all these creatures. :)

This tiny moth is quite hard to see and you have to be on your knees down in the grass. Many eyebrows have been raised in puzzlement and also amusement at this strange human on all fours in a field. Although I would like to add that I follow a path that is used by the badgers and other dog walkers. None of us go through the tall grass so as not to disturb the wildlife. These fields are kept naturally, without grazing. The grass grows, dies down and grows back. Its a paradise for people such as me of course. All I have to do is to pick a spot and sit still. It never takes long for the insects to appear. Or perhaps better put: until my eyes adjust to seeing the very small beings.

But back to this lovely, charming moth. They shimmer and sparkle in the sunlight as they move about on the grasses and buttercups. Evertyhing about them is just perfect and their behaviou fits their look; they are very playful beings and don't at all care about me being so close.

 Aren't they charming, sweet little creatures?

 So small and so joyfully coloured.

 Foaming!  The meadows nearby are full with this foam. Although I knew what it was, I never knew what is in it, until today! You can just make out some cream coloured 'things' inside that foam ... 

 

 And this is what is in it: Froghopper / Spittlebug nymphs.

This one above only just had emerged from the foam, it is still wet!

I learn every day something when I spend time with these little and not so little beings. 

Everyday is new and I basically know nothing if one considers all the knowledge that is out there, so far beyond ours.

Although this post is about the smallest of things, I have to add this one too, I mentioned it in the previous post. I now know what it is, thanks to the Natural History Museum's forum. Thank you! 

It is a Burnett Moth Caterpillar in its silk cocoon. I guess it'll be another few weeks before it will emerge. Luckily it is in a secluded spot, so I shall try and keep an eye on its development. 

And of course, Agent B is still investigating the 'Mystery of the Impaled Insects' Case on CSI Nature.

Clearly, an undercover agent is not to be photographed, I should have known!