Category: David

Holly blue butterfly, female, resting on ivy. May have been in the process of laying eggs – ivy is one of the food plants of the caterpillars.

Female mallard with two ducklings hatched towards the end of July. The trio have been patrolling the canal downstream of Compton lock.

Brown roll-rims, a common mushroom which grows in association with many deciduous and coniferous trees. These were by the former level crossing at the end of the Smestow Valley Barley Field.

Fruit just starting to ripen on a blackthorn. Will they stay on the bush to feed birds over winter, or be bagged by someone to make sloe gin?

Bumble bees (and one honey bee) clambering over a series of thistle flowers, gathering as much nectar as possible.

The hairy body of one of the bees has been well sprinkled with pollen.

Glossy reds and yellows of ripening vibernum (guelder rose) berries on a sunny morning.