One of the faces of the former sandstone quarry at the back of Wightwick Mill lock. Across the middle of the picture a band of the lichen which is growing on the rock seems to prefer one particular layer.
David
Autumn colours, West Park beech leaves
A few weeks ago, various pundits were claiming that this year’s weather would lead to spectacular autumn colours. I’ve not seen many signs of that yet, but I did like the delicate shades of these leaves.
Squirrel burying acorns
One of the West Park squirrels burying part of its winter hoard right up by the brick and stonework forming the edge of the lake.
Slo-mo video of wasp eating
Something else I tried out for the first time: the high speed movie mode on my camera. This is of a wasp eating on an ivy flower.
Hopefully the picture quality will improve with practice. But even on a first try I was stunned watching the segments of the insect’s abdomen moving in relation to one another, and the way the antennae waved around.
Crab apples ripening
These crab apples were growing on an isolated tree in a field by the Staffs & Worcs canal, which is now part of the Smestow Valley LNR. Back in the days when the narrow boats ran on horse power, the field provided rough grazing for refuelling the beasts overnight.
Bratch water pumping station
Some signs of autumn colour change in the leaves of the trees surrounding the exuberant Victorian architecture of the water pumping station beside Bratch locks.