David

Hawthorn, sometimes known as May flower, seemed to be especially pungent on warm mornings this year.

Galls forming on the young leaves of different oak trees. I can’t see any particular changes in appearance in the week or so between these pictures being taken and the time I’m writing this.

Swans on the two beaches on West Park’s boating lake island.

The lone swan on the beach facing the bandstand is in a spot often chosen by nesting swans, and is surrounded by scattered feathers. Possibly the beginnings of a nest.

The beach facing the conservatory was occupied by at least six swans (some hidden by trees in this picture) as well as other birds. I wonder what prompted that gathering.

‘Candelabras’ of horse chestnut flowers, white ant (much rarer) red. The day I took these pictures, the trees with white flowers all seemed to be as bit more advanced.

One of the local buzzards using the thermal over the Barley Field, slowly circling to gain height.

A spear thistle. I took the picture from directly above to emphasise the symmetry of the plant.