David

Last year’s seeds with their downy surround were still on this plant early in April. The new leaves were coming out further down the branches.

This year’s growth of stalk and leaf from a cow parsley.

Canalside rushes flowering. The blur in the artier picture above is from the movement of the plant in the gusty wind. The other shot was of a more sheltered plant just yards further along the bank.

Spotted a couple of days ago by the Stafford Road / M54 roundabout, a spot where they grow regularly. These are the first wild poppies I’ve noticed this year.

Right by the path near Tettenhall Ranger Station in the Smestow Valley LNR, so possibly an escapee from those which have been planted on the platform.

With paired leaf buds further down the stem.

The first set of ducklings I have spotted this season, last Thursday. The mother duck was cautiously keeping them by the other bank of the canal.

This tortoiseshell moved off very nervously when I tried to get slightly closer.

Blackthorn (sloe) bushes starting to flower early in April. The pictures here were taken of neighbouring bushes at the same time. One bush (above) was a mass of buds. The other must have been in a slightly more favoured spot, so the flowers were already out.

Catching the spring sun.