Author: David

An ear fungus growing on its preferred host, an elder tree. This one appears every year in Hawthorn Wood, in the Smestow Valley LNR off Horden Road.

Ten pictures of hoverflies feeding on ivy flowers today.

For some reason, I have less inhibitions about getting up close to them than I do when trying to photograph bees or wasps.

See the contrast between different parts of their bodies, parts looking shiny-smooth, and others hairy (complete with trapped grains of pollen).

This picture was taken way back in July, when it was possible to sit out on one of the terraces of the Charlton Arms in Ludford after sunset, sipping one of the pub’s excellent pints to the background of the soothing sounds of the river Teme.

This was the only bee I spotted among many various insects feeding on ivy flowers recently.

These flag iris seeds were by the pond on Northycote Farm recently.

Despite being spotted on an ivy leaf, this may be a hawthorn shield bug.