Category: David

Begonias of varied bright vivid colours create a stunning impression of the Dutch Garden at the back of Bantock House.

Blues blending with pink to create complex shadings of colour in this hydrangea flower.

Parakeets have come back to West Park. Since last winter’s storms the reports of sightings have been along the Smestow valley and Tettenhall ridge. They are now being seen flying from that area to West Park, where up to four have been spotted, preferring trees near the side of the lake with the wooden shelter.

As ever, they are easier to hear than to see, and more likely to be noticed high in a tree than nearby for a good clear view.

The handrail on the bridge over the pool at Compton Park was almost as favoured a perching position for common darters as the decking was. Occasionally, if no dogs had been past for some time, it was possible to get near enough for close-up shots of the insects resting.

Common darter dragonflies resting in the sun on the waterside decking on the footbridge over the pool at Compton Park. On calm sunny days in August there were sometimes two or three insects here, seeming to be carefully positioned so they did not see each other.

Common darter dragonflies hovering as it comes in to land on the waterside decking on the footbridge over the pool at Compton Park.