Jesika5555
LightNews LightNews
banner
jesika5555.bsky.social
Jesika5555
@jesika5555.bsky.social
1.6K followers 550 following 1.4K posts
Doggie mummy living in York, England. Interested in lepidoptera, all insects, birds and trying to learn about the night sky. Any and all Astro help gratefully accepted. Brilliant OM1 mark 2 camera & lenses, rubbish "L" plate operator.
141124
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
jesika5555.bsky.social
Jesika5555 @jesika5555.bsky.social · Nov 14
A rare Wormwood moth on my shed July 30th 2024. It's the very first to be recorded in Vice County62 (141124) OM1
jesika5555.bsky.social
10 Nov a beautiful Red Admiral flying over Broadway, York, at 11.15 #entomology @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social #bugsky #ukwildlife #inverts #uknaturalists
November 10, 2025 at 12:40 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
2 Nov. 2.30pm, Heslington Lane, York. Clear blue sky and a gorgeous Red Kite circling above my head. Of course no camera! #yorkbirding #ukbirds #ukwildlife #birds #uknaturalists
November 2, 2025 at 7:57 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
80 times around the Sun. At 02.25 Wed Sept 19 1945 the stork delivered me to my parents in a tiny West Riding village. all these years later, I've changed a bit, grown taller, travelled, grown shorter. Made some wonderful friends who are treasured beyond words.
Not sure how old I am in this, the only photo I found of my baby years. The hair was already deciding to do its own thing. My very favourite photo, strangely for my new passport after I married. I'm 22. Still managing to tame the hair, 65th birthday, Girls' Night in Posh Frock Dinner Party, a very special occasion because she who became The Twin was with us. We hadn't seen each other for 39 years but picked up just where we left off. Deeply missed and greatly loved. If there's an after life she'll be waiting as the 17 day older bossy big sister. Decided I lacked the energy to fight the hair so I'll grow it into submission - that's the plan! How did I manage to become 80?
September 19, 2025 at 2:27 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
2 Sept 2025. On this day in 1945, the beautiful baby who became my bossy, a few days older, Twin was born. It took us almost 23 years to find each other but the bond was instant and lasting. If there's an after life...
I don't know how old she was was here but already her beauty is obvious. Ma must have spent hours taming that long black hair. I only got this photo after her death and am not sure of the event, possibly her High School Prom, but isn't she stunning in her black dress with goves and a flower on her wrist? A studio portrait in 1994. 2010, my house. We hadn't met for 39!!! years. Twin came over for what she thought was MY 65th birthday party. Little did she know she was the star of the show and what a wonderful party it was. We'd picked up at the airport just as we'd left off, so close was the bond, not just friends, but sisters and twins. She explored Yorkshire in the camper van, met mother, first time since 1970!!! and then the party. Posh frocks, my cooking (we all survived). I remember her face when the cake, studded with candles was brought to her. "It's for ME?" she asked. Tears all round, a night to remember. Happy Birthday, my beautiful, wonderful, bossy, big sister (by 17 days) Twin.
September 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM
jesika5555.bsky.social
150825 Memories. 2015 California Dreaming. Panasonic FZ1K @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #monarch #monarchbutterfly #inverts #aurelians #wildlifephotography #entomology #naturalists #ArdenWood #PacificGrove #naturelovers #bugsky
Pacific Grove, Monterey, Monarch Sanctuary. We saw about 15,000 of these beautiful butterflies there. Her Majesty is feasting on a white flower. A docent lead our party explaining the work done by the sanctuary and the West Coast migration. These butterflies don't go to Mexico to overwinter. Arden Wood Monarch Sanctuary, Fremont, California. Much smaller than Pacific Grove we saw about 1500 butterflies including His Majesty who kindly posed for photographs from his many admirers. WE know he's male because of the black spot just showing on the vein on the underwing where it meets the upper. The docent here was called Chris, a lovely young woman, who explained the migration, the work done on the farm to protect not just the Monarch but all wildlife. Arden Wood again. Clusters of Monarchs just hanging around, soaking up the sun, too tired to open their wings Arden Wood, another cluster, this one much busier, a lot of fluttering and jostling for position. I don't have words to describe my joy at seeing these magnificent butterflies in such numbers. Only the 1996 irruption of Painted Lady in York, a once in a life time experience, surpassed these 2 visits.
August 15, 2025 at 8:04 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
080825 OM1ii Beautiful Painted Lady was feasting on Buddleia. She'll soonset off on a VERY long journey. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #lepidoptera #york #naturelovers #aurelians #inverts #wildlifephotography #macrophotography #ukwildlife #uknaturalists
Buddleia cross to the path and very fresh Painted Lady sitting on the purple flower Noe soaking up the heat from the path, wings extended Enjoying breakfast! From the side showing the intricate pattern of the underwings
August 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
050825 FZ1K a bit upset by the lost flowers on the grass verges this morning after the cuttermen but delighted to have Stripey come for breakfast at 9.15pm. HH is growing nicely and hopefully will be big enough to overwinter #york #naturelovers #hedgehog #wildlifephotography #uknaturalists
Young Hedgehog with white stripes In this hot it's climbed up to the breakfast bar and is feeding hungrily. There is food next door too and a safe 4 garden run.
August 5, 2025 at 8:59 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
030825 FZ1K 8th July 1st saw tiny Stripey Hedgehog. Last night 2 arrived while I was star gazing, don't think either in shots 2&3 is Stripey. Pic 4 probably is. #nature #uknaturalists #hedgehogs #wildlifephotography #york #naturelovers #mammals ##britishwildlife
Poor shot with TZ200 camera, tiny Hedgehog with a broad white stripe across its back Out star gazing last night and heard VERY loud noises from the side of the house. 2 Hedgehogs in deep conversation. Tight crop of the one hiding under the Marjoram, no sign of white stripe. A few minutes later heard them at the breakfast bar. I think the one at the back is Stripey, the front one much too big, I don't think the tiny HH could have put on so much size in less than a month. This could mean we still have at least 3 on our safe 4 garden run. I also heard a lot of scrabbling around under the big Ivy later in the night. Had a wonderful star gazing time last night, trace of Milky Way and Hedgehogs - magic!
August 3, 2025 at 8:08 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
1st August.
"Sons and daughters of Yorkshire, lift your voices to sing our wonderful anthem"
If I knew how to do it, I'd get the Band of the Grenadier Guards to accompany us with their very stirring rendition of "lka Moor bah't at."
Happy Yorkshire Day, Three Ridings and York for ever.
The Yorkshire white rose on a blue back ground as it is on our flag. The rose is made of white roses, the centre I believe is yellow Tansy flowers. The banks of the River Ouse which flows through York is the stronghold for the highly threatened Tansy Beetle, known as the "Jewel of York." Victorian ladies thought the beautiful green wing cases made even more beautiful sequins and now thanks to TBAG - Tansy Beetle Action Group - the beetle is fairly secure around York and I think another colony has been found on the Fens where it also used to be prolific.
August 1, 2025 at 7:26 AM
jesika5555.bsky.social
280725 OM1ii My garden A Gatekeeper on Tangutica seed head one of 3 today & attempts at Milky Way @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts @salopchris.bsky.social @sjbastro.bsky.social #inverts #astrophotography #naturelovers
Clematis Tangutica has beautiful yellow flowers and wonderful seed heads, perfect for a sun bathing Gatekeeper. It's Milky Way season and I stayed awake until daft o'clock playing astrophotography. This is unedited other than a crop to remove unwanted bits and pieces. It's 12mm f2 17.62 seconds at 1000 ISO. I have convinced myself that the trace of MW originally detected by Steve Brown is still visible but from a different angle. A bit of playing and I THINK it's a little clearer. There's a white flash centre left and another further down, just above the tree. If there's another clear night I want to try the hand held hi res settings which stacks several images, improving detail.
July 28, 2025 at 7:58 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
260725 OM1ii 60mm stacked in camera I wonder if this tired moth that escaped from a Sparrow this morning is a Dark Arches. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social #gardenmothscheme #teammoth #muchadoaboutmothing
Sparrow was determined to capture the moth which was equally determined not to be caught. Sparrow had got it by the left wing but it managed to flutter away It was exhausted from its ordeal so I brought it inside, kept it cool for a couple of hours and then put it in a very safe place. It's had a tough time.
July 26, 2025 at 9:36 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
260725 OM1ii Definitely a Hummer! 1 &2 Common Wainscot and 3 a Smokey (I hope) @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social #inverts #gardenmothscheme #muchadoaboutmothing #york #teammoth
A very red looking Common Wainscot. Pink rather than red Wainscot - Common. Soft beige, the Smokey Wainscot Just one precious minute with the Humming Bird Hawk Moth today. I've been given permission to go into the garden where the very large Buddleia attracts masses of butterflies and the Hummer too.
July 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
260725 OM1ii 60mm stacked in camera @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social #teammoth #gardenmothteam #muchadoaboutmothing ?Dark Arches and Double Lobed. Riband Wave (had 2 types) & Willow Beauty #inverts #naturelovers
Dark Arches with many scales missing on the head I've only seen Double Lobed once before and it was very bruised and battered. This is in better condition but I'm reasonably confident. A very pretty Riband Wave, almost transparent with age Willow Beauty resting on the shed wall as they always seem to do
July 26, 2025 at 8:24 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
260725 OM1ii 60mm stacked in camera @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #gardenmothscheme #york #inverts @mothiduk.bsky.social #teammoth #muchadoaboutmothing #aureliansI think a Dot, a Light Emerald and I have no idea about this nameless little creature.
Dark wings with white patch towards the outer edge of the upper wing. I'm reasonably confident about this - says she... A very pretty very pale green with a darker line running across upper and lower wing and another line just on the upper wing. There's a very slight hook to the tip of the upper wing Not sure this actually IS a moth but it has impressively long antennae and big brown eyes From the side the head and thorax look red and the wings quite iridescent. It's a pretty little insect.
July 26, 2025 at 7:49 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
250725 OM1ii 90mm +x2 ext Millennium Fields York First Dragonfly to pose for me this year, Mrs Common Darter #odonata #inverts #naturelovers #insectmacrophotography #aurelians #york #bugsky #bugfriends #uknaturalists
Mrs C D in profile, gold and brown body, wings outstretched as is usual with dragonflies Look at those big brown eyes. Wings outstretched and slightly tilted own. The tip of the left wings are bent back just a little but not enough to affect her ability to fly. In this shot she looks as if she's standing on her head, gold and brown body straight up.
July 25, 2025 at 7:21 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
250725 OM1ii Millennium Fields, York. Very few butterflies seen today & no Skippers? Should be dozens. Just 1 Green Veined White 1 Meadow Brown 4Gatekeeper 2 Speckeld Wood @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #lepidoptera #aurelians #naturelovers #york#uknaturalists
Gatekeeper with chunks of lower wings missing. May have escaped from a predatory bird Just one Green Veined White Speckled Wood enjoying a blackberry. I would expect to see far more of every species on this site at this time of year.
July 25, 2025 at 7:13 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
250725 OM1ii 90mm +x2 ext @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #entomology #aurelians #naturelovers #york #uknaturalists #lepidoptera #inverts My garden and seen on walkies.
Profile of a Comma butterfly on buddleia in my garden. The comma from which it derives its name is clearly seen A Red Admiral, wings outstretched on buddleia in my garden. Also seen 1 Peacock and 4 Large Whites Dovesfoot Cranesbill, the larval food plant of Brown Argus, which I am delighte dto have found on Millennium Fields, York. In August 2019 I found 8 Brown Argus and since then a steady 6 or 7 each year, 2 broods. Last year I only saw 1st brood but there was activity which made me hopeful for 2025. In spring I saw 2 who seemed very interested in each other. Dare I hope...? Then the heat came and plants shrivelled and died, including the Dovesfoot Cranesbill. No Brown Argus seen after those first 2 i spring but today I found several small clumps of this tiny pink flowering plant. Again, dare I hope...? Only time will tell. Couldn't resist these glorious leaves as we walked down the street, they looked spectacular against the masses of greenery.
July 25, 2025 at 7:06 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
230725 OM1ii 90+x2ext @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #entomology #inverts #insectmacrophotography #aurelians #york #naturelovers Not many butterflies today, Peacocks nearly all gone, some Speckled Wood & Gatekeepers locally. #ukwildlife #wildlifephotography
Aaron's garden always has nasturtiums so always attractive to Mrs Large White. These larvae are second instar. A very handsome and pristine Red Admiral on a loca buddleia showing the beautiful ancient tapestry of the underwing. It's incredibly complex and always a joy to see. One of about 4 Gatekeepers on small area of Walmgate Stray where we walked this morning. Still Speckled Wood on our small Walmgate Stray patch, I can no longer easily manage the full Stray, age has wearied me just as it's wearied this butterfly. Hasn't stopped it flying though!
July 23, 2025 at 6:14 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
180725/190725 OM1ii Millennium Fields #york surprisingly little insect activity on Friday @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #muchadoaboutmothing #teammoth #inverts #enotomology #odonata ?Mr & Mrs Banded Demoiselle no idea about the tiny moth @mothiduk.bsky.social
Damselfy sitting on dried grass facing me, green body and wings pressed close together Almost certain this is a male Banded Demoiselle. Rich metallic green'blue body and wings. There is a darker band towards the wing tips I saw 2 of these tiny creamy white moths whilst searching for elusive Skipper butterflies. There are darker orange/yellow marks creating a pattern which I could not fully see. Sadly neither opened their wings or came closer.
July 19, 2025 at 4:02 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
160725 OM1ii Aaron's gdn. Large White butterfly eggs & larvae. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #entomology #york #uknaturalists #wildlifephotography #naturelovers #aurelians #inverts #insectphotography #OMSystem 60mm or 90+x2 ext stacked in camera #lepidoptera
A cluster of yellow eggs, some with tiny black heads visible as the minute first instar caterpillar prepares to emerge. There are some empty, partially eaten white shells. Several yellow caterpillars with black heads and white spikes along their bodies crawling on the nasturtium leaf or on the bodies of their siblings At the right of this shot is an out of focus clump of eggs surrounded by empty shells. Central is another cluster of eggs and at the bottom of the clump is a brownish red and white insect which in other shots was seen eating the eggs. I do not know what this insect is. Another enemy, this time a 7 Spot Ladybird happily feeding on the eggs. There are several larger caterpillars bottom right and above the eggs 3 yellow first instar. Centre right is a cluster of brown circles, probably/possibly where eggs were laid, the caterpillars emerged and all the shells eaten. A healthy looking clump of green and yellow with dark spots 2nd instar. When they are 4th instar I'll bring a few home and raise them
July 16, 2025 at 7:28 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
150725 OM1ii Gdn visitors today. 2 Goldfinch feasting on self seeded path blocking Knapweed & an "Here I am now I'm gone" HBHM @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #yorkbirding #ukbirding #uknaturalists #wildlifephotography #teammoth #gdnmothscheme #naturelovers
July 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
150725/240723 OM1 Mrs HBHM investigating my wall & self seeded Gallium. SO excited a first ever for me, couldn't stop shaking. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #gardenmothscheme #muchadoaboutmothing #entomolgy #aurelians #teammoth #inverts #naturelovers #york #naturalists
Mrs HBHM investigating the Gallium which decided to grow itself in the Primrose, Cowslip and Pulmonaria garden 2 years ago. I didn't find any eggs in this dense mass of greenery but absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence is it? After all her effort I could only hope. I had never seen this before, Mrs HBHM actually laying an egg on MY wall while I watched and recorded the event. I found 4 of these beautiful and tiny pale green globes just inches above the Gallium. Sadly the next day they had been predated. C'est la vie, but I don't have to like it, would have enjoyed raising these little moths.
July 15, 2025 at 4:43 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
140725 OM1ii A local Buddleia hosted a HBHM. Hopeless pics, strong wind so hard to hold focus. Hopefully I'll get anothet chance soon. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #muchadoaboutmothing #gardenmothscheme #teammoth #inverts #entomology #york #naturelovers #aurelains
Set off for walkies without a camera and saw THIS. Rushed back home, and the Humming Bird Hawk Moth was still feeding a big Buddliea which is always very popular with butterflies and other insects. I didn't see any Hummers last year so delighted to get a chance to photograph this one. Also counted 1 Holly Blue, 11 Peacock, 3 Red Admiral, 1 Comma and several Lrge White I am not very happy with the photos. As always the moth was very fast moving as expected but the strong wind added to the usual difficulty associated with this little beauty. Orange underwings clearly showing, long proboscis probing deep into the Buddleia flower The moth has flown up from the flowers and the tip of the proboscis is curled inwards. The right antenna is shorter than the left
July 14, 2025 at 6:49 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
140725 OM1ii Tildi's 8th birthday #dog #australiansilkieterrier #birthday
Mummy is SO cruel. She puts me in the warm water and rubs shampoo into my hair. I can't bear to look at her... I got presents for my birthday. Of COURSE I did. Although Mummy is cruel she really loves me so she took me for coffee and cake after walkies. The girls at the coffee shop lit a candle on my cake and sang the birthday song. Doesn't my new harness look divine? It fits and suits me perfectly. Of course I'm so gorgeous and a real Super Model that anything would look good on me. I'm not sure what the red thing is but I'll bite a hole in it and mummy will take its insides out so I don't get any stuck in my throat. After second walkies mummy made me a special meal and we had lemon drizzle cake too. Sometimes mummy is not too bad. I think I'll keep her...for now. Not only does mummy make me take a bath, she insists on this photoshoot thing. One is NOT amused.
July 14, 2025 at 5:08 PM
jesika5555.bsky.social
120725 OM1ii 60mm lens images stacked in camera Star of the show 5 Mother of Pearl. First seen for far too long @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #muchadoaboutmothing #inverts #mothmacrophotography #naturelovers #teammoth #entomology #york #aurelians #uknaturalists
An aging beauty with bald patches on the head and abdomen. Antennae folded along the back and twisted at the ends The incredibly beautiful colours visible in this shot. Antennae upright and touching in the centre then separating. Brown eyes, proboscis curled in On the window in all its glorious glory. It's easy to see why it is called Mother of Pearl. Exquisite markings that shimmer and shine in the light. A tight crop of the eyes, head and antennae, which are orange with pale dots on th einner surface. this is something I had never seen before, my something new for today - along with moth identifications! Thank you to all who help me.
July 12, 2025 at 7:09 PM