iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

#WildflowerHour #FavouritePlant Possibly my favourite flower of 2026 are these variants of Water Avens. I found several in woods at Pickering, N. Yorkshire. @whitbynats.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Common Emerald Damselfly and Southern Hawker seen in Harwood Dale, N. Yorkshire today. @whitbynats.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Hawkwind Courtney Love Kate Bush Silverfish Radiohead New Model Army Hair and Skin Trading Company Salad Blondie Anna Lapwood

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Needed drinking before its 'best before' date!

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Following up with 'Delusions of grandeur' from Wild Beer. At 20% it's probably a good job it only comes in smaller bottles. Happy birthday to me!

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Happy 60th birthday to me! Thought I'd celebrate with a glass of Goose Island bourbon-barrel aged stout from 2018. Only 15.2%!

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

They're becoming quite scarce in some parts of the country.

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I've seen Dingy Skipper chase off a Peacock butterfly that invaded his territory!

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

A couple more Migrant Hawker pics from Arnside Knott today. There were lots about, but most wouldn't land within camera range. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I had a great day at Arnside Knott looking for Brown Hairstreak butterflies. I found 4, all on a large area of Hemp Agrimony. Once they were feeding, they were quite relaxed about my poking a camera lens at them! @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I found this Migrant Hawker at Arnside Knott today, and since it stayed put when I approached, I decided to get in for a close-up. @nationaltrust.org.uk @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Roosting Adonis, Chalkhill, and Common Blues (plus a very worn Dingy Skipper) from Aston Rowant, taken before sunset on Sunday, then sunrise on Monday. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Second brood Wood Whites at Bucknell Wood, Silverstone, on Sunday. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Good to hear! I'm hoping to make my annual visit there on Friday, weather permitting.

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Beautiful! I absolutely love this butterfly!

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Wood White, 2nd brood, from Bucknell Wood on Sunday. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Lots of butterflies at Harwood Dale Forest on Friday, with Comma, Holly Blue, Painted Lady, Peacock, and Red Admiral seen. I had to work to get decent photos as they were very active in the heat! @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk @whitbynats.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Black Darter, Four-spotted Chaser, and Common Emerald Damselfly seen at Harwood Dale pond on Friday. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Common Centaury. Lots along the rides at Harwood Dale Forest, N. Yorkshire. @whitbynats.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

This gorgeous poppy has self-seeded in my garden. I'll definitely be saving the seed heads!

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Gatekeeper. Two white dots on the forewing (although Meadow Brown can have these), and white spots on the hindwing (Meadow Brown has black spots or none).

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Yes, lots of fresh ones about now.

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Despite it being so common, I have very few photos of Large White. This is a nice fresh individual seen yesterday at Pickering. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk @whitbynats.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

After Monday's really tatty Painted Lady it was nice to see some pristine ones at Pickering yesterday. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk @whitbynats.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I always think that the dark border around a Peacock's wings make it look like it's been superimposed over the background. One of many seen yesterday at Pickering, N. Yorkshire. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk @whitbynats.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Have a look here: www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_simi... This is a really good resource for distinguishing similar-looking species.

ukbutterflies.co.uk

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Small Skipper. Large Skipper has pale spots on the underside of the wings.

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I think that's a Dark Green Fritillary.

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

A few Graylings from the limestone pavements on Whitbarrow, Cumbria. @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Broad-bodied Chaser, an 'over-mature' female seen today at Howe Ridding Woods, Cumbria. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Is this the tattiest Painted Lady in the UK? Seen today in Howe Ridding Woods, Cumbria. There were some fresh ones about too, but naturally I couldn't get near them! @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Marbled White close-up, taken early this morning at Yatts Farm, Pickering. A stack of 26 images. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @whitbynats.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Female Marbled White seen this morning at Yatts Farm, Pickering. This is a stack of 52 images. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @whitbynats.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Some Marbled White focus stacks taken this morning at Yatts Farm, Pickering, before they warmed up! @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk @whitbynats.bsky.social

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Yes, spot on with those IDs. The black-tipped antennae on the Essex Skippers are very obvious.

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Yes, looks like it to me. The orange antenna tip is very obvious in the 3rd photo.

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Hi Jesika, yes, all those IDs look good to me!

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The first one is female Small Skipper, with plain golden wings. The second is Large Skipper, with chequered wing markings and distinct hook-tipped antennae.

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Dave O'Brien @daveob66.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Not that I saw. Most of them were on the verge opposite a fire break, not far from where I found the Stag's-horn Clubmoss (sadly bulldozed!).

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