here be fairies..red admiral sipping sap
In an oak tree not far away something strange and bizarre happens. The tree weeps. It’s been weeping for many, many years. And as it weeps the sap it produces ferments. The tree is infected. With a fungus.
red admiral - intoxicated...
Down one side there’s a scar…black, glistening, reaching into the roots, staining the soil and exuding a pungent aroma of fermenting fruit which is utterly irresistible to insects. Those who sip the sap become intoxicated and it’s not unusual for us to see hornet, beside butterfly, beside fly – shimmering in an iridescent cocktail.
greenbottle at the sap run
...and a golden muscid
10 comments
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September 6, 2010 at 6:40 am
Beadle
Aaha – so you ARE still alive then !
More great pix – my condiments to the photographer!
September 6, 2010 at 8:20 pm
paula
salt and pepper?
Yes, kind of alive. Influx of family over August and sole charge of 3-y-o french speaking Camille for several weeks…& I had 4??????
September 7, 2010 at 6:49 am
Beadle
I reckon that grandchildren should be limited to two hour visits only!! and you were a bit younger when you had the 4 – don’t time fly!
September 7, 2010 at 7:15 am
paula
Well next year with Joe, Jess and family arriving home from New Zealand there will be 4! All fledglings coming home to roost…Our own homemade commune!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Time better start going backwards.
September 6, 2010 at 6:41 am
Sandie
howe weird – we have an apple tree – when the fruit falls and ferments the butterflies get drunk on it and actually stagger around….
September 6, 2010 at 8:23 pm
paula
Hi Sandie! Yes,truely weird. Never seen the like of it before.
September 6, 2010 at 10:24 am
hen
Stunning!!
September 6, 2010 at 8:24 pm
paula
Thank you wee hen…
September 7, 2010 at 6:22 pm
elizabethm
Fab photos as usual! Sole charge of little one for a while sounds a big deal. I tend to need a quiet sit in my greenhouse for an hour or two after only a weekend of my four and a half year old grandson. Lovely but knackering!
September 10, 2010 at 11:34 am
paula
‘Lovely but knackering’…hit the nail on the head! Slowly catching up with myself.