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David

Mallards mating, canal, Castlecroft

Mallards mating, canal, Castlecroft

A pair of mallards on the canal at Castlecroft, which chose to start mating just as we we were passing.

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David

Lichen variety

Lichen variety

Lichens seen on a short stretch of the Smestow Valley Reserve between the Barley Field and Compton Lock.

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David

Still searching for frogspawn

Still searching for frogspawn

I’m still on the lookout for any frogspawn this year, so far without success. In the meantime, these, of frogs spawning amid frogspawn, are from 2010. From the lower pond in the garden at Wightwick manor

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David

Leaf buds about to open: oak

Leaf buds about to open: oak

The future leaves still tightly packed together, buds on one of the Barley Field oaks just before they open.

Leaf buds about to open: oak

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David

Glistening inkcaps on fallen log, the Paddock

Glistening inkcaps on fallen log, the Paddock

It seems that troops of glistening inkcap mushrooms are springing up all over the place this spring. These were on the top of a log which fell several years ago on the dge of the Paddock in the Smestow Valley Nature Reserve.

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David

Flowering by the canal, together

Butterfur flower by canal

Flowering almost next to one another on the canal bank, a few yards from Meccano Bridge, a butterbur and a patch of lesser celandines.

Lesser celandines by canal