Ben Thomas
@benthomas-1983.bsky.social
Ecology, Fungi and the great outdoors
Pinned
Marsh cinquefoil - a new one for me at the Stiperstones #Wildflowerhour
Ivy bee-Colletes hederae just one of a few hundred that appeared today in the polytunnel, its the first one I’ve seen but they seem happy here! #Bees
September 15, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Ivy bee-Colletes hederae just one of a few hundred that appeared today in the polytunnel, its the first one I’ve seen but they seem happy here! #Bees
Spear thistle-Cirsium vulgare back in flower again now things have greened up after the recent rain, a little late for #Wildflowerhour but such a bright little flower against the still drought affected grass is worth a post.
September 14, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Spear thistle-Cirsium vulgare back in flower again now things have greened up after the recent rain, a little late for #Wildflowerhour but such a bright little flower against the still drought affected grass is worth a post.
Crab apple - Malus sylvestris from the hedgerow with a reasonable crop despite the drought. #fruits #Wildflowerhour
September 6, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Crab apple - Malus sylvestris from the hedgerow with a reasonable crop despite the drought. #fruits #Wildflowerhour
Rowan and Wild service tree for the #fruits challenge both in local hedgerows. #Wildflowerhour
September 6, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Rowan and Wild service tree for the #fruits challenge both in local hedgerows. #Wildflowerhour
Reposted by Ben Thomas
And somehow it’s time for the first page of ‘What to Look for in Autumn’.
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
September 6, 2026 at 7:33 AM
And somehow it’s time for the first page of ‘What to Look for in Autumn’.
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Reposted by Ben Thomas
‘Wild Flowers of Late Summer and Autumn’
by M de Sausmarez (not a Ladybird artist but I’m allowed the odd day off)
by M de Sausmarez (not a Ladybird artist but I’m allowed the odd day off)
September 1, 2026 at 7:49 AM
‘Wild Flowers of Late Summer and Autumn’
by M de Sausmarez (not a Ladybird artist but I’m allowed the odd day off)
by M de Sausmarez (not a Ladybird artist but I’m allowed the odd day off)
Corncockle-Agrostemma githago #SeedHeads looking a little bedraggled after the much needed rain #Wildflowerhour
August 30, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Corncockle-Agrostemma githago #SeedHeads looking a little bedraggled after the much needed rain #Wildflowerhour
Reposted by Ben Thomas
Other work of the Ladybird artists
‘August’
Whitbread calendar 1971
Artist: SR Badmin
‘August’
Whitbread calendar 1971
Artist: SR Badmin
August 24, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Other work of the Ladybird artists
‘August’
Whitbread calendar 1971
Artist: SR Badmin
‘August’
Whitbread calendar 1971
Artist: SR Badmin
Teasel - Dipsacus fullonum providing precious nectar to a common carder bee, one of few wildflowers still doing its thing. #Wildflowerhour
August 23, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Teasel - Dipsacus fullonum providing precious nectar to a common carder bee, one of few wildflowers still doing its thing. #Wildflowerhour
Reposted by Ben Thomas
“The tide has again receded over the sand-flats. The remaining framework of a wooden ship is half-sunken in the sand. On one of the ribs a cormorant stands with wings lifted”
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
August 23, 2026 at 7:40 AM
“The tide has again receded over the sand-flats. The remaining framework of a wooden ship is half-sunken in the sand. On one of the ribs a cormorant stands with wings lifted”
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Reposted by Ben Thomas
If you haven’t had enough of sky watching, tonight should be a good night to enjoy the #Perseids
The Night Sky, 1965
Artist: Robert Ayton
The Night Sky, 1965
Artist: Robert Ayton
August 13, 2026 at 7:36 PM
If you haven’t had enough of sky watching, tonight should be a good night to enjoy the #Perseids
The Night Sky, 1965
Artist: Robert Ayton
The Night Sky, 1965
Artist: Robert Ayton
Reposted by Ben Thomas
‘August’
Shell Guide to Trees and Shrubs, 1958
Artist: SR Badmin
Shell Guide to Trees and Shrubs, 1958
Artist: SR Badmin
August 12, 2026 at 7:34 AM
‘August’
Shell Guide to Trees and Shrubs, 1958
Artist: SR Badmin
Shell Guide to Trees and Shrubs, 1958
Artist: SR Badmin
Reposted by Ben Thomas
Butterflies and Moths, 1965
‘Hedge Brown, Meadow Brown and Ringlet’
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
‘Hedge Brown, Meadow Brown and Ringlet’
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
August 11, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Butterflies and Moths, 1965
‘Hedge Brown, Meadow Brown and Ringlet’
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
‘Hedge Brown, Meadow Brown and Ringlet’
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
Reposted by Ben Thomas
Other work by the Ladybird artists
‘Life in the Corn’ (Shell Guide, 1956)
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
‘Life in the Corn’ (Shell Guide, 1956)
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
August 10, 2026 at 7:42 AM
Other work by the Ladybird artists
‘Life in the Corn’ (Shell Guide, 1956)
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
‘Life in the Corn’ (Shell Guide, 1956)
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
Hogweed - Heracleum sphondylium flowering on the edge of a path mown some months ago, covered with mildew but still providing valuable pollen and nectar after most others here have dried up. #Wildflowerhour
August 9, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Hogweed - Heracleum sphondylium flowering on the edge of a path mown some months ago, covered with mildew but still providing valuable pollen and nectar after most others here have dried up. #Wildflowerhour
Reposted by Ben Thomas
Despite the recent drought many members of the Asteraceae or daisy family are looking just splendid. Perfect for this week’s #WildflowerHour! See if you can find one & share your pics this Sunday evening 8-9pm using the hashtag #DaisyFamily. Happy Asteraceae hunting!
August 6, 2026 at 7:27 AM
Despite the recent drought many members of the Asteraceae or daisy family are looking just splendid. Perfect for this week’s #WildflowerHour! See if you can find one & share your pics this Sunday evening 8-9pm using the hashtag #DaisyFamily. Happy Asteraceae hunting!
A painted lady - Vanessa cardui sunning itself on a hawthorn hedge #Butterfly
August 2, 2026 at 7:30 PM
A painted lady - Vanessa cardui sunning itself on a hawthorn hedge #Butterfly
Harebell - Campanula rotundifolia a very compact white flowered form growing in parched, acid grassland. #Wildflowerhour
August 2, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Harebell - Campanula rotundifolia a very compact white flowered form growing in parched, acid grassland. #Wildflowerhour
Tormentil - Potentilla erecta still in flower on dry, acid grassland #Wildflowerhour
August 2, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Tormentil - Potentilla erecta still in flower on dry, acid grassland #Wildflowerhour
Reposted by Ben Thomas
‘Swifts, swallows and Canada geese’
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
What to Look for in Summer, 1960
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
What to Look for in Summer, 1960
August 2, 2026 at 7:23 AM
‘Swifts, swallows and Canada geese’
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
What to Look for in Summer, 1960
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
What to Look for in Summer, 1960
Reposted by Ben Thomas
“On the sands at low tide there are many interesting things to be found. They are not often so close together as in this picture, so some child must have collected these”
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Writer: EL Grant Watson
(What to Look for in Summer, 1960)
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Writer: EL Grant Watson
(What to Look for in Summer, 1960)
July 26, 2026 at 7:16 AM
“On the sands at low tide there are many interesting things to be found. They are not often so close together as in this picture, so some child must have collected these”
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Writer: EL Grant Watson
(What to Look for in Summer, 1960)
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
Writer: EL Grant Watson
(What to Look for in Summer, 1960)
Great willowherb - Epilobium hirsutum popping up in the garden pond margin, it must have drifted in on the breeze #wetlandplants #Wildflowerhour
July 26, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Great willowherb - Epilobium hirsutum popping up in the garden pond margin, it must have drifted in on the breeze #wetlandplants #Wildflowerhour
Oxeye daisy- Leucanthemum vulgare flowering after being cut back to the ground around a month ago #Wildflowerhour
July 26, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Oxeye daisy- Leucanthemum vulgare flowering after being cut back to the ground around a month ago #Wildflowerhour
Reposted by Ben Thomas
Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
(Garden Birds, 1967)
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
(Garden Birds, 1967)
July 25, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
(Garden Birds, 1967)
Artist: John Leigh-Pemberton
(Garden Birds, 1967)
Reposted by Ben Thomas
Ladybird endpapers,
“Finding nature in towns and cities” (1980)
Artist: Christine Owen
'Nature in the Town'
“Finding nature in towns and cities” (1980)
Artist: Christine Owen
'Nature in the Town'
July 22, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Ladybird endpapers,
“Finding nature in towns and cities” (1980)
Artist: Christine Owen
'Nature in the Town'
“Finding nature in towns and cities” (1980)
Artist: Christine Owen
'Nature in the Town'