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David

Chilean lantern tree flowers, West Park

Chilean lantern tree flowers, West Park

The flowers on this Chilean lantern tree were striking, and the tree looked like it had been in its place down the side of the West Park Conservatory for many years, but I don’t remember ever noticing it before.

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David

Hawthorn flowers, really close

Hawthorn flowers, really close

I was a few minutes early for a medical appointment. There was a hawthorn hedge with lots of flowers. So I got out my mobile phone and held it close to some flowers.

Hawthorn flowers, really close
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David

Mistle thrush, Bantock Park

Mistle thrush, Bantock Park

A mistle thrush on a grassy verge in Bantock Park, searching for food last month. It carried on when people or cars came quite close, perhaps because there were fledglings back in the nest.

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David

Lone tuftie drake, sleeping

Lone tuftie drake, sleeping

Most of the tufted ducks which had been spending the winter on the lake at West Park have now departed elsewhere for the breeding season. A handful remain, mostly drakes.

When I visited the park moderately early one quiet morning, a small group were asleep on the water, half way between the shore and the island. Even in this safe spot, sleeping ducks still need to beware of danger. There’s a half-open eye, keeping a literal look out for danger.

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David

Black elder, starting to flower

Black elder, starting to flower

Black elder, more formally sambucus, in a front garden. A month ago, when these pictures were taken, the flowers were just beginning to open.

Black elder, starting to flower
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David

Unidentified canalside mushrooms

Unidentified canalside mushrooms

An interesting-looking group of mushrooms, growing half-hidden by vegetation, under the hedgerow by the canal path between Compton and Wightwick. No idea what they are.