Wolves Wild

The West Park turtle, still seems to be thriving. Here seen in the morning, climbing on to its favourite log, getting in position to rest in the sun for most of the day.

This year’s two West Park cygnets are still thriving. They’re not yet beginning to get adult plumage, but their down no longer has that just hatched cuteness. Instead, they are at what is presumably the ugly duckling stage. If so, it’s ugly ducklings which are already much bigger than adult mallards.

Teazles from the poolside vegetation patch by the Compton Park poo, finally beginning to flower.

Square-headed wasp – subtribe Crabronina, resting on a lichen-covered tree trunk, West Park.

A random selection of unripe berries, fruits and nuts I’ve come across on my exercise walks in the last few weeks.

Small white butterfly, very enthusiastically feeding on alkanet flowers.

It’s ow about the height of the ragwort flowering season. Here flower buds still closed, buds opening, and flowers fully open.

Canada goose goslings on West Park lake growing uop fast. From a distance they now look like adults at first glance. Closer inspection shows they are still smaller, with traces still of down in their plumage.

Self-heal, clinging to the ground as it flowers, a wildflower insinuating itself among the managed planting in West Park.

Plagiognathus arbustorum, a plant bug, strolling actoss the leaves of a hazel bush

Scarlet tiget moth, its wings folded so the scarlet colour was hidden as it was busy feeding on alkanet flowers.

Two poppies in front gardens. In the one, a white-tailed bumble bee energetically moving round gathering pollen; in the other a vestal cuckoo bee similarly engaged.