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David

Scarlet tiger moth, Bridgnorth

Scarlet tiger moth

Scarlet tiger moth, just started flying for the day and clinging to a bush by the River Severn, perhaps to warm up in the morning sun. That meant it was staying still to have its picture taken, but only giving occasional glimpses of parts of the bright upper wing.

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David

Chinese pagoda primrose, Northycote

Chinese Pagoda Primrose

Chinese pagoda primrose growing in the new sensory garden at Northycote Farm. This garden flower is also known as the red hot poker primrose and as the orchid primrose. The plant actually does originate in China.

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David

Flag irises with bee and hoverfly

Flag iris with bee

Bee about to land on a flag iris flower, and a hoverfly just after landing on another.

Flag iris with hoverfly

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David

Sparrow on a molehill and a bench

Sparrow on a bench

Male house sparrow, resident somewhere near the footpath along the River Severn heading downstream from Bridgnorth. First he landed on the raised earth of a molehill. Then seemed to decide that wasn’t high enough as a vantage point, and moved to perch on the back of a nearby park bench.

Sparrow on a molehill

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David

Red, green: maple seeds beginning to ripen

Red, green: maple seeds

Reddish “wings” on the sycamore-like seeds of a maple. As the seeds ripen, the dessicating wings will turn a pale brown.

Red, green: maple seeds

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David

Coots on nests: Sutton and Sandwell

Spreading its wings

Coot chicks on their nest on Sutton Park’s Keepers Pool, one stretching its wings. The adult bird, presumably brooding eggs, was on a nest in front of the hide at Sandwell Country Park.

Coot on nest