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.
David
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.
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.
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
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.
Alert (squirrel, Bantock)
One of the Bantock Park squrrels looking alert as if just ready to pounce. It actually walked off quite slowly just after these pictures were taken.
