Monday, 12 August 2013

Six-Spot Burnet Moths at Prawle Point





 
A magical experience at Prawle Point, already my favourite spot to paint on the Devon coast. I walked past the National Coastwatch Station  onto an area of sublime coastal grassland (it's an SSSI) with lots of sea thrift and  rare Autumn Squill coming into flower. What really dazzled though were the hundreds of Six-spot Burnet Moths  flying around, flashes of red and black. Some newly emerged from cocoons on grass stems  were drying out, others were mating,  the remainder searching for nectar. A spectacular sight, it was a while before I could concentrate on sketching and painting , an experience that will stay with me for a long time.  

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