Category: David

A yellow iris flower in a front garden, when it hadn’t quite fully opened last month.

The canal near Compton. A hawthorn bush growing right by the edge of the water was covered with may blossom on May Day. The bush was then reflected in the almost calm water of the canal.

A few shots grabbed during a short walk in West Park, Wolverhampton in May 2024.

A magpie gathers a long twig for its nest, while another quarters the ground for invertebrates to eat. A squirrel sits up, begging for food. Recently hatched goslings nibble among short grass.

Little tiny spiders, moving round on two webs on the same honesty plant. They were baby common garden spiders (sometimes called cross spiders from marks prominent on adult females) and must have been very recently hatched when I spotted them.

Red horse chestnut flowers, arranged in their so-called candelabra, early last month.

Lots of fungi fruiting bodies are here and then they’re gone in a matter of days or less. Either they’ve done the job they’re evolved to do, disperse the pores, or they’re nibbled to nothing.

Earth stars are among the exceptions. These specimens were by the canal path between Compton and Wightwick. They’re so battered by now that I wouldn’t like to guess which species of earth star they are. They probably emerged last autumn, and they’re definitely showing signs of their age.