Cramp balls are distintive-looking and fairly common fungi, so they have several different vernacular names, such as King Alfred’s cake or coal fungus.
They often grow in groups on an infected tree. I could only see one here – it’s on the bough between the two main trunks in the second picture (click to enlarge).
Yellow archangel is a bright flower in the spring. Found fairly often locally, usually in hedgerows (or that’s where I notice them).
Shield bug trying to look inconspicuous resting on a leaf in the Dutch Garden at Bantock House.
End of a horse chestnut twig. The leaves had opened, and the flower buds on their spike were just about to open too.
Bumblebee on a dandelion, gathering nectar. The breeze was blowing the flower around, but the bee was clinging on firmly.
Coot parent and chicks old enough to be feeding themselves, on the Birmingham Canal.
They were pictured just minutes before the very young coot chicks featured here, so near they must be based on the next available nest site.
One of the chicks was persistently pecking at the steep side of the canal, presumably finding something tasty to eat.