Category: David

Bold herring gull, a resident on the cathedral green at Exeter.

A variety of deciduous trees showing their shapes while they were without their leaves recently.

Some were growing in south Staffordshire farmland, others in two Local Nature Reserves: Doxey Marshes in Stafford, and Brueton Park / Malvern Park in Solihull.

Earth star fungi often seem to be growing half-hidden among the vegetable detritus under hedges. This one was partly covered by fallen leaves, beginning to turn to compost, in the hedge by the canal towpath at Castlecroft.

Rugged looking outcrop of sandstone, well covered in lichen, by the Claverley Brook crosses a minor road at Lower Hopstone.

Pied wagtails, one walking on the prom at Dawlish Warren, others searching crevices for something to eat by the River Exe at Topsham.

Brightly-coloured and large preserved butterflies from the display at Exeter Museum (RAMM).

The museum’s butterfly display takes up an entire wall of one room, the gatherings of the efforts of (I’m guessing) the efforts of a gaggle of Victorian gentleman collectors.

I find such a profusion of specimens a bit sad.