Alison Foster

@alisonfoster

Zooarchaeologist based in Worcestershire. Malvern Buzzards Running Club. Cats (well, just the one cat). Power metal

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Looking after daughter's two Arabian Mau cats this weekend. They're very slinky and terrifyingly intelligent. Quite different from my little domestic shorthair. Poppy and Elfie. #caturday

Tabby and while cat sitting on top of a microwave

Ginger and white cat sitting on a windowsill

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· 12d

"Scrap net zero and embrace Mediterranean life" says the Telegraph. Mediterranean life not looking so appealing right now.

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· 18d

Easy. Matt Berry

Photo of bearded, long haired actor Matt Berry

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· 23d

I've transformed the steep banks around our house from expanses of weed proof membrane and gravel chippings to terraced garden. I do worry though that whoever buys the house next will pull it all out and put gravel down again.

Narrow, steep bank of flowers and shrubs by a flight of concrete steps.

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· 23d

Ah, the evolving cat names phenomenon. Sophie/Sophs/Sophie Dophie awaits her next incarnation.

Black and white cat perched on the back of a grey office chair, looking back over her shoulder.

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· 27d

I've been trying to get a decent photo of a hummingbird hawkmoth for years with no luck. This afternoon my elderly aunt sent me this great video from her back garden - well done Aunt Bridget!

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Jul 7

I think it's a plume moth. We have them in Britain. This is Pterophorus pentadactyla, the white plume moth.

White moth with folded wings on dark green leaves
Photo: Premaphotos

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Jun 26

If you see this, post an archer

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Jun 15

Husband saw a "Build your own Trabi" kit in the window of Age Concern - and didn't buy it! I'm genuinely disappointed.

Build a model car kit in charity shop window. Blue Trabant. £5

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Jun 15

Hello Badger. I know you were leaning towards an ID of Rose Chafer for this beetle. Thought you'd like to know I sent photos to Laura Bower and she confirmed it. She sent a helpful photo of both which shows the differences.

Two slightly different iridescent green beetles. Rose chafer (left) and noble chafer (right)

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Jun 13

Ooh, do you think so? Here's another photo from a slightly different angle. The wing cases were quite squared off at the rear end. Also, there are paired whitish marks that I've only just noticed. Wish I'd added a scale but was prioritising getting him to safety!

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Jun 13

The cat has just brought in the most fabulous beetle! (Captured on the balcony. Lots of fuss, thought she'd been stung by a bee.) Now rescued and back in the garden. Doesn't seem any the worse for the experience.

Quite large, iIridescent green beetle photographed on the end of my finger.

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Jun 8

Cats know that the comfiest pieces of paper are always the ones you're working on.

Black and white cat sitting on a couple of printed A4 sheets by an open laptop.

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Jun 7

Waiting for the runners at Marshall Point 9 at the Brockhampton Beast this morning.Found this in the parkland but don't recognise it. Do any botany people know?

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· May 28

Ooh, just seen a hummingbird hawk moth on the valerian in the garden! First one this year. Photo from the BBC website - there's no way my ancient phone can get a decent pic.

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· May 25

Gardening in the Malvern Hills can be tricky and I can see why people go for easy maintenance. But once you've got the plants established, they keep the weeds down themselves. Same steep bank after four years. Full of bees! Plant names in alt text.

Steep, narrow bank covered in weed-proof membrane and gravel chippings, held down by lumps of granite

The same bank, terraced and covered in flowers including white daisies (Mexican fleabane), violet campanula, white cistus and almost-out lavender. Geranium and more lavender out of shot

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· May 16

Something a bit different for Caturday. 'The Guardians' diptych, by Min Reid, seen this morning at the wonderful Canwood Gallery and Sculpture Park near Ledbury, Herefordshire. #Caturday

Bronze head of a lynx-like feline set on tall, simple black pedestal and positioned against a rustic stone wall and wooden door. An identical head and pedestal can be seen in the background.

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· May 16

White ermine on my garage door this morning. Not a great photo, but so beautiful in real life #moth

White moth with small dark spots on wings and a furry white thorax and head

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· May 11

Ok, where are the mouse bones? Science cat Sophie

Black and white cat sitting by microscope

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· May 8

Cardinal beetle on tiptoes, trying to see out of my front window. Now relocated to the garden.

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· May 8

Bit small though.

Photo of a blue tit with peanuts. Text reads "Love Garden Birds. A fantastic source of energy, protein, and fat, especially during colder months".

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· May 3

One for sorrow, two for joy. It's the annual Well Dressing festival in Malvern. This year's theme: Birds. The artist at Weavers Well has chosen to illustrate magpies in folklore, which has reminded me of the Unthanks' wonderfully atmospheric version of the old song. Devil, devil, I defy thee.

Decorations around a natural spring feeding a brick trough built into a grass bank. A large board with the 'One for sorrow...' magpie poem written out. Blue and white ribbons with two magpies around a nest with eggs and shiny objects

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Apr 26

Lots of dragons and wyverns in and around Taunton, but I think this is one of my favourites. Dragons and libraries - what an irresistible combination! #SundayStonework #dragon

Relief carved stone dragon surrounded by the words County Library

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Apr 22

Camera-shy Highland cow with bluebells, Malvern Hills. Ridiculously fluffy. 📸 Paul Foster

Fluffy, ginger Highland cow, scratching its nose with a hind hoof

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Apr 15

Husband's retirement meant the spare office chair was destined for a charity shop. Sophie has bagged it though, so now I have to walk round it, and her.

Grey office chair occupied by a black and white cat

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Mar 30

Wot, me?

Black and white cat sitting in IKEA poang chair, superimposed writing reads "baklava thief"

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Mar 29

If you see this, post a concert photo that you took. Primal Fear at KKs, Wolverhampton

Man, long hair, playing electric guitar on stage. Stage lighting is green.

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Mar 29

Birmingham O2 Academy last night to catch the very excellent Ferocious Dog on their farewell tour. Brilliant night - hope to see them later in the year too.

Male folk musicians on stage playing guitars, bass, violin and drums. Backlighting is blue. Foreground is silhouetted audience with raised arms

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Mar 22

Not a bee 😊 Saw a weird 'bumble bee' on a pub garden table yesterday. Sparked a discussion and online search with people at the next table and we decided it must be a bee fly - a bee mimic. I'd never seen one before but apparently they're not uncommon.

Furry, ginger flying insect with long, straight proboscis. Not my photo!
📸 Stefan Rotter

Alison Foster@alisonfoster· Mar 20

Moths! New t-shirt for sale in Hereford wildlife trust shop in Ledbury. Would have bought it if it wasn't white (impractical colour). @osteoconnor.bsky.social