An Elephant on the Path

On our morning walkies I spotted a movement on the footpath



The larva of an Elephant Hawkmoth.



Surprisingly large at about 70mm long when fully extended.

Grubbing About and a Dry Bath

While I was preparing a container for some new strawberry plants I found these grubs, larvae, in the old compost. I put them in a plant saucer with a 5p coin for size comparison. The 5p coin is about 18mm across.



Closer look. Not brilliant as it is a small crop. I was still using the 70-200mm lens which does not have a macro facility. Waiting patiently for a macro attachment for it.



If anyone can give a positive identification I will be very grateful.

Many thanks to Greenfingers (Beyond the Human Eye & Cabinet of Curiosities) for identifying the grubs of the Vine Weevil for me. The grubs can be a real problem for some potted plants and eventually kill them. Further information and some control measures can be found on the RHS site.

A Bath Without Water

I kept muttering things about local motorists scuffing up the entrance to my drive but in reality it is actually a bath. As the gravel has loosened over the years it has made an ideal site for the local Sparrows to have their dust baths.



This part of the drive is covered with bare circles where the Sparrows have been doing what Sparrows have to do.