Category: David

The magnolia tree by the side of Bantock House, currently in full flower.

Because of the low temperatures this spring, there haven’t been many insects prominently visible out and about. This peacock wasn’t the first butterfly I’ve seen this year, but it was the first I actually managed to get pictures of.

A large mature monkey puzzle (araucaria) tree in a front garden on Oxbarn Avenue, currently with any flowers at the ends of its branches.

Slow moving as it basked in the sun, the West Park turtle made a brief return for one day earlier this month. Since last August, it’s been hibernating deep in the mud of the lake. Its time on its fallen branch must have been enough to find that although the weather was bright it was still near to freezing. And so, presumably, back to the mud and another lie-in until it gets warmer.

Velvet shank mushrooms grow in tight clusters at the base of tree trunks and stumps. These were at the edge of the Railway Walk near Lower Penn.

Dog’s mercury growing in the woodland area at Northycote Farm, flower buds developing but not yet open.