Wordless Wednesday

Belmullet Co. Mayo

Large carder bee

This little beauty is the large carder bee or Bombus muscorum.

Bombus muscorum

While widespread in Ireland it is not common and classed are having a near threatened conservation status. I don’t get them in my garden so was real treat to find them on a visit to the north coast of Mayo earlier in the week. Here is the large carder (right) alongside the common carder (left).

Common carder

Larger carder

You will notice the large carder on the right is larger is size and has a blonde abdomen.

West of Ireland Fences

The Lens-Artist challenge this week is to show your favourite fences. In County Mayo, west of Ireland, fences tend to be functional boundaries for livestock, often composed of post and wire fencing. I actually much prefer wooden fences, but they are few and far between here in the west.

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These fences are not pretty objects, but are often found in nice places, like along the coast, where they are sometimes unwelcome.

Mullet peninsula

Silver strand

Erris head

 

 

Silent Sunday

 

River Moy, at Foxford, Co Mayo

Silent Sunday

Doogort Beach, Achill Island, Mayo, Ireland

Playing golf at the end of the world.

Downpatrick Head, Co Mayo, Ireland

Dedicated to M&M&V for all the chuckles over the last few days

Silent Sunday

Looking out toward Achil Island, Co Mayo