Helix pomatia

Some people eat those, you know. Not something I could do myself I must say. Quite common in gardens and parks and very fun to watch if you have the time. There were several crawling about in my burn pit. I have absolutely no idea why they took a liking to this particular environment. Did they like the carbon? This species was probably brought by catholic monks as it was OK to eat while fasting. They still farm them in Germany and France for this purpose.

Chasing tails

Finally I managed to sneak up on one of the local squirrels bouncing around all day here. I do not know wether it belongs to the ground or tree variety as it is just about everywhere all the time. Just like an electron or so. The squirrel got its name via latin from the greek word skiouros, meaning shadow tailed due to its bushy tail.

Of course I know it's an ordinary red squirrel, sciuris vulgaris, don't let anybody else let you know nothing else.

Arion ater

One would think slugs are having a difficult time finding a mate, You know, just follow the slime track and sooner or later (much later) they will catch up. Or not. These two did find each other in the semi dark as I was about to go for a late swim after ten o' clock in the evening. What are they saying? "Fancy a drink or you wanna make out right away?". Wonder if being hermafrodite makes things easier regarding gender specific behaviour, no need for "Ah, you men!" or "Typically women!". Arion ater is latin for "bloody common black slug" or so.

Tettigonia viridissima

Took a few steps towards my house to get a bit more to eat and almost stepped on this little creature. It's a tettigonia viridissima and I was bound to see one these days in late July as this is their time of the year. Let's call it Benjamin.

Sfinx ligustri

Passing my garden table I see something bright green on the underside. After a quick check in my book on such creatures I find it to be a sfinx ligusti. When growing up it will become a big beautiful butterfly, sucking nectar from flowers while hovering just like a humming bird.

Moose on the loose

This just in: decided to take a couple of shots of my white little flowers in the garden before rain coming down and ruining everything. Just down from my litte photo session on the rock, turning around the corner of the house and...


...there it is, eight meters away. I almost feel it before I actually see it. Maybe my peripheral vision is on the alert? I´ve experienced this before, in the woods. Even closer.


I´m just about to walk indoors so I stay inside and shoot through the window. When I know I have a few good photos I go outside and press the shutter twice more before it sets off into the treeline between me and my neighbour´s.


It strides soundlessly around my neighbour´s house and then peeks through the trees just to decide if I´m good or bad. No good it decides and turns its back on me. Gone. Last years calf I´d say, still not old enough to stay away from gardens, feeling a bit lost since leaving its mom.


And this is what I went outside for...