Category: David

Figwort plants overhanging a canal, with the flowers running up the stem just starting to open.

Male emerald damselfly resting on vegetation by a small pool in Baggeridge Country Park yesterday. There were two or three of these males by the pool, and seemed to be harassed often by male common blue damselflies, which were present in somewhat larger numbers.

A pair of mating damselflies which kept perching on vegetation some yards away were probably also emeralds, but flew too far from the path before I could get a clear view.

I saw a female emerald damselfly on a visit to the same site in the middle of June.

Mandarin duck female standing on the tip of the Bylet at Bridgnorth, then minutes later on the river just a few yards downstream.

Out of the breeding season she’s in the less showy eclipse plumage, with only slight traces of pattern and colour.

There seems be a short length of fishing line – on her head ashore, shifted to the body afloat. Hopefully, it is just resting on the feathers, not actually permanently caught on her.

Bright green beetle which was feeding on ragwort flower.

Cardinal beetle walking on a thistle flower, then disappearing over the edge.

Standing tall above the other dense vegetation: teazles with a mass of flowers.