An unused swimming pool becomes the home of many freshwater plants and animals. Insects of many types, such as beetles (Coleoptera), true bugs (Heteroptera), and fly larvae (Diptera), can be observed swimming in unused swimming pools.
Here a Dytiscus beetle has flown in from a neighbouring pond to make the pool its temporary home. It surfaces rear-end first to breathe before diving again to hunt for prey. Diving beetles are excellent swimmers, their bodies are streamlined, and their flattened rear legs, which bear two rows of “swimming” hairs (see photo), can generate powereful strokes.
A disused swimming pool is great place to observe freshwater wildlife because it is easily accessible, its edges are free from terrestrial vegetation which often make it difficult to see. In addition to this the blue of the pool allows us see creatures that we might not have noticed - check out the spiral of green algae in the photo.
What a nice chap! This toad posed for me one summer night. It made sure to bloat itself up (stretched its legs and inflated its lungs with air) to deter me from eating him! What a thought! You will notice in the photo the large glands just behind the eyes. These secrete an irritant substance through the skin that serves as a deterrent to most predators, hedgehogs and grass snakes excluded.
Toads are generally nocturnal and are most active on rainy nights, but can sometimes be seen in the daytime after rainfall. During the day they can be found under tree roots, stones and vegetation in a shallow burrow which they have excavated.
This wonderful little creature can live up to 40 years. It feeds on insects, spiders, slugs and worms, which it catches on its sticky tongue. Large individuals can also prey on slow worms, small grass snakes and even harvest mice. These are swallowed live. Their skin colour varies according to time of year, area, sex and age.
Only male common toads croak, which can be a useful way of distinguishing males and females. Males will ’squeak’ if picked up. I didn’t pick up this toad.
It is sometimes difficult to identify the common toad because its skin colour varies according to time of year, area, sex and age.
This colourful little beetle may look innocent enough as goes about collecting nectar - its private life, however, is something other. As a larva it lives in bee hives and feeds on young bees.
The advent of digital photography has made it possible for everyone to enjoy nature photography and get great results at an affordable cost.
However, if you want to get really good shots you'll have to work hard - you'll need to practise, practise, practise! Then that's part of the fun!
