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David

Toes in the water: moorhens, West Park

Toes in the water: moorhens, West Park

Heavy rain leaves puddles, some quite deep, on some paths and lawns of West Park. Two moorhens, one still young, explore these waters.

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David

Mealtime for a garden cross spider

Mealtime for a garden cross spider

As I was passing a front garden, this garden cross spider decided it was time to abseil down from the top of its web towards the centre. There some prey was held, already completely wrapped in silk, ready to form a meal.

Mealtime for a garden cross spider

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David

Tufted ducks, still in eclipse plumage, West Park

Tufted ducks, still in eclipse plumage, West Park

Another species of waterfowl converging on the West Park lake for the more sheltered living as winter nears are tufted ducks. The population now heading towards double figures, in mid-October were still in eclipse plumage.

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David

Twin birch boletes, Bantock Park

Twin birch boletes, Bantock Park

Pair of birch bolete mushrooms with their thick stump stems, growing together. As they mature, the caps spread and flatten.

Always associated with birch trees, here one of the silver birches at the edge of Bantock Park’s Pitch and Putt.

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David

Swans beginning to gather, West Park

Swans beginning to gather, West Park

As winter begins to approach, swans begin to gather on protected waters like the West Park lake. The numbers have started to rise, but have probably not yet reached their peak

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David

Parasol mushroom, just emerging, Bantock Park

Parasol mushroom, just emerging, Bantock Park

Parasol mushroom, possibly a shaggy parasol, just as it was starting to emerge on the edge of the Pitch and Putt course at Bantock Park.

Parasol mushroom, just emerging, Bantock Park