Author: David

These marsh marigolds were very early, possibly because they were cultivated. They were growing by the pool at Bantock Park.

On warm days this plant attracts crowds of insects, which were conspicuously absent when this picture was taken.

The first mushroom I’ve spotted so far this spring is this clump of glistening inkcaps.

The red of the ladybird shows vividly against the green of the leaves.

The one below is on a nettle leaf – the stings can be seen as what look like short fine hairs fringing the leaf.

This thistle has leaves which almost seem to be clinging to the ground.

Every spring these violets flower at a sheltered spot by the Staffs & Worcs canal.

The same little bank normally has violets and lesser celandines flowering at the same time, with the purple and yellow of the two sets of blooms making a colourful contrast.

The violets below were growing by a roadside. They look much more blue in colour.