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David

Red cracking bolete by the ring road

Red cracking bolete

A red cracking bolete growing on a grassy bank between the Civic Centre and the ring road. The splitting cap shows the reddening which gives it its name.

Red cracking bolete

Side view showing the pores, rather than gills, where the spores come out.

Well-chewed red cracking bolete

A couple of days later, and a view from above showing how much of the mushroom had since been eaten.

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David

Black-headed gull in the river Severn

Black-headed gull in the river Severn

Black-headed gull standing in shallow water in the Severn, at the tip of a small island near the (old) bridge over the river.

River Severn island, Bridgnorth

All the water birds gather on or by the island. It’s far enough from the river bank for them to feel safe, but near enough for them to get the bread which is thrown to them.

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David

Autumnal rosebay willowherb

Autumnal rosebay willowherb

I don’t remember ever previously noticing rosebay willowherb leaves which turned to these colours in the autumn before the plant shed them.

These were vivid reds and yellows. They were on plants growing by the canal towpath, yards from Castlecroft (farm) bridge.

Autumnal rosebay willowherb

This patch is much more like any willowherb I’ve noticed in previous years.

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David

Glistening inkcaps, Finchfield

Glistening inkcaps, Finchfield

Growing only a couple of paces from the other inkcap species which was featured yesterday were a pair of tiny glistening inkcaps.

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David

Group of shaggy parasols, Hawthorn Wood

Group of shaggy parasols

Shaggy parasols are one of the larger mushrooms, and are fairly common.

Group of shaggy parasols

This was one of several clumps growing in Hawthorn Wood recently.

Group of shaggy parasols

They were growing just above a bank, so it was easy to picture them from the side as well as from above.

Group of shaggy parasols

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David

Heron on Boating Pool island

Heron on the lookout

A heron standing on the rail aroud the island in the boating lake at West Park, its plumes dangling from its nect.

Heron scratching itself

The bird lifts its left leg to scratch itself.