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Hazelnut shell

Hazelnut shell

This hazelnut has been opened and eaten by a squirrel. The wood on which it is resting is a bench by the South Staffordshire Railway Walk. It is just about possible to make out the holes left behind by woodworm.

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David

Dryad’s saddle

Dryad's saddle

A bracket fungus. The visible stage should be out in the spring and summer, but this specimen had appeared before the end of January.

Dryad's saddle

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David

Old oak tree in a frosty field

Oak in a frosty field

This oak tree was in the middle of a frosty field near Lapley. Pictured on a misty day in mid-January.

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David

Velvet shrank mushrooms

Velvet shank mushrooms

These bright mushrooms grow from towards the base of trees.

Velvet shank mushrooms

The pictured specimens were growing on different stumps along the railway walk in the Smestow Valley nature reserve and its continuation into south Staffordshire.

Velvet shank mushrooms

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David

Growing on a stump #3

Lichen

This lichen was growing on the sawn-off top of the trunk.

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David

Growing on a stump #2

Moss-covered bracket fungus

Moss was covering this and several other bracket fungi on the stump.