Wolves Wild

Not so much a wildflower as a cultivar gone feral, these spurges are nevertheless holding their own, spreading in competition with the interlopers in this front garden.

Yet another enemy of the lawn perfectionists, giant plantains raising their heads well over even this unmown grass.

Another wildflower unwelcome to lawn perfectionists are any of the common buttercup species. This one was a meadow buttercup, as shown by its deeply indented leaves.

Some plants with a natural habitat in hedgerows or meadows are also adept at spreading to pavements, roadside gutters, and untended gardens. Black medic, here growing outside a garden wall, is one which is a bane of those who want a perfect lawn.

The bright purple flowers of a Judas tree in front of the Conservatory in West Park.

Three cygnets with the mother swan on the lake at West Park. When we saw them previously, a few days earlier, the cob had also been there. This time there was no sign of him.

Swans are normally very attentive parents. The pen stays close to the cygnets, while the cob usually stands guard a little distance away, constantly alert to any threats. It’s most unusual to see a grouping like this.