YES!!! The "I'm so happy" thread. 2009

[Anthony Darby]

Your beetle is one of several wasp mimics Robin. It is Strangalia sp.; possibly S. maculata? It's a 'longhorn' beetle (Cerambycidae) and its larvae feed in rotting deciduous tree stumps. It is widespread in Britain. Excellent photo.

[Ragged Robin]

Great to put a name to the beetle Anthony, thanks so much for the ID and info - there are lots of beetles of all shapes and sizes on the flat heads of the meadow Achillea and now that Leucanthemums have started flowering I am looking to see what they will attract!

[tonyg]

Oh YES! Robin - I had not liked to suggest that a better camera would open up new opportunities   Looking forward to even better in-situ reporting

[Ragged Robin]

Well it will take me a while to reach the dizzy heights of yours and Cliff's postings but it's worth the challenge  


                                            
                                             Z
                                       Z   Z
                                   M        Z
                                 M             Z
                              M                 Z
                             M                     Z
             M                            Z                      
mmmmmmmmMMMM                               ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......      
                                                                                     \
                                                                                       \            
                                                                                         \        
                                                                                           \
                                                                                             \
                                                                                               \  

                                                                                                   X
                                                                                                                   ***
                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                  iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[Anthony Darby]

That's easy for you to say Robin.

[Ragged Robin]

Well I can't blame the camera if things don't work out, Anthony   

[Anthony Darby]

True, but I was trying to read the up and down message.

[Paul T]

Anthony,

I was just thinking how much time it must have taken to put that message together..... and the thought process that lead to all that work going into it in the first place. 

[Paul T]

I've got at least a month of work starting on Monday.  It's a good start.  I am hoping all will go well. 

[Ragged Robin]

I've got at least a month of work starting on Monday.  It's a good start.  I am hoping all will go well. 

Wonderful news, Paul, I am really happy for you - good luck in the beginning of your new venture 

[Ragged Robin]

True, but I was trying to read the up and down message.

It's a well known quote of caution 

[David Nicholson]

I've got at least a month of work starting on Monday.  It's a good start.  I am hoping all will go well. 

Well done Paul, is this at the Botanical garden?

[Paul T]

Nope, it isn't.  I f I got another contract with them it would likely be until the end of the financial year, and it wouldn't start until at the very least September, probably not until closer to Christmas.  I'll actually be doing grounds maintenance at a large institution, not far from the Bot Gdns as it happens.  It is horticultural work, and that is the main thing.  And money of course! 

[mark smyth]

Not quite a moan or something to be happy about but just had travellers/gipsies come to ask to re lay or clean the paving out the back. He said he'll lift the blocks, treat them to stop moss and relay them properly to stop the weeds!! I said I'm happy with the blocks and I hit the weeds with Roundup when they show. He said "you should have used Ron Sealer. It will kill the weeds to their roots"

[Anthony Darby]

.....or perhaps for the bigger weeds Ron Whaler?