November 2016 - part 1
2nd November 2016 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
Here are the pix from Teréz's solo visit, on a rather cool and misty day:
3rd November 2016 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
Despite the clear blue sky and sunshine, it was very cold at the SQ, especially on the top rim, where a strong icy wind battered the plants, and us ! Not much in the way of 'moving life', apart from some Blackbirds, Tree Sparrows, and a calling Pheasant. Teréz was very concerned that the remaining small Swallowtail caterpillars would die in the upcoming cold weather, so, after some thought and discussion, she brought along the secateurs. After the caterpillars were photographed in-situ, the stem of the plant was cut low down, so that most of the stem could be brought home and placed in water in a cool place. Hopefully, the 'babies' will halt their development over the Winter, and complete it in the Spring, once new food plant growth occurs. It's a risk, but at least they'll have a chance. We feel that, if they were left in their exposed place at the SQ, their chances of survival would be remote.
Here are the pix from Teréz's camera for the same day (3rd November 2016), including the small Swallowtail caterpillars starting their 'winter break' at Mátrafüred !
4th November 2016 - (Friday, Péntek)
Pictures from Teréz's solo visit:
5th November 2016 - (Saturday, Szombat)
A slightly unusual album as it doesn't feature a Small Quarry visit ! It does, however, show the Swallowtail caterpillars on the foodplant in the kitchen at Mátrafüred.
6th November 2016 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
Unfortunately, the smallest of the 3 caterpillars died and dropped off the foodplant. Looking at previous photos taken at the SQ, it appears that a small growth was on its side, so maybe it had been attacked or parasitised. The remaining 2 larger caterpillars are feeding well.
7th November 2016 - (Monday, Hétfő)
One of the caterpillars shed its skin, and then turned around to eat it. Note that the head of the caterpillar is white immediately after skin sloughing. The final 2 (large) photos in this album were taken by (Friend of the Small Quarry) Gyuri Csóka.
8th November 2016 - (Tuesday, Kedd)
This album firstly shows the current situation of the 2 Swallowtail caterpillars in the kitchen at Mátrafüred, and then my solo visit to the Small Quarry. It was a cool, Autumn day, with a 'bite' to the air. As I arrived, a Goldfinch flew from a nearby bush, a few Bullfinches circled overhead, uttering their distinctive call. I was pleasantly surprised to see a good amount of water in The Bowl. We'd had some prolonged rain recently, but the level was much better than I'd anticipated. The Coffee Pool had formed again, and water spread from it right across to the reedbed. At the edge of the reeds I found the egg case of a Praying Mantis, attached to a reed stem. I snapped the stem off for two reasons: 1) for the photo record, and 2) to move the stem to higher ground in case the water level continues to rise. A dry stem of Mountain Hog's Fennel 'caught my eye', as it had a series of small holes 'drilled' into it. The amazing thing was that the holes were almost equidistant from one another. A few plants are still making a valiant effort to flower, but the show is almost over for 2016.
Here are Teréz's photos from the same day (8th November 2016):
9th November 2016 - (Wednesday, Szerda)
Although rather cold in shady spots, it was a sunny and pleasant afternoon for our visit. Bullfinches again overflew the site, and a Greenfinch flew across The Bowl. The only insect recorded was a single Adonis' Ladybird, as it soaked-up the afternoon sun on a Dogwood leaf. Most of the Cypress Spurge leaves have turned various shades of red and yellow, but I found one clump on the rim, near to the waterfall area, that was still completely green. A 'new species' for the SQ is the Crab Apple ... although we must have seen it before, but not investigated it. There are two sizeable trees next to the top irrigation channel. It was nice to see the reflection of the blue sky on the open water again.
Here are Teréz's images from the same day (9th November 2016):
10th November 2016 - (Thursday, Csütörtök)
Teréz's photos., the first of which show the Swallowtail caterpillars in the kitchen at Mátrafüred:
11th November 2016 - (Friday, Péntek)
Teréz's photos of the Mátrafüred caterpillars:
12th November 2016 - (Saturday, Szombat)
The Mátrafüred catepillars ... Teréz's photos:
13th November 2016 - (Sunday, Vasárnap)
Teréz's photos of the 'kitchen caterpillars, including one making a break for freedom!
14th November 2016 - (Monday, Hétfő)
One 'kitchen caterpillar' has pupated. Teréz's photos: