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Thistle and white campion flowers

Thistle and white campion flowers

A thistle and white campion growing closely together.

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Bee feeding on a St Johns wort flower

Bee feeding on a St Johns wort flower

At the height of its flowering season, St John’s wort attracts crowds of bees and hoverflies.

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Damsons ripening

Damsons ripening

These were near the car park of the Saltwells LNR.

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Large bolete

Large russula

This mushroom had a large and uneven cap on top of a very short stem.

Large russula

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Toadflax flowering

Toadflax flowering

Sometimes known as butter and eggs.

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Birdsfoot trefoil flowers

Birdsfoot trefoil flowers

Cling to the soil – sometimes known as eggs and bacon.

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Shaggy parasol by a roadside

Shaggy parasol

The shaggy parasol is quite a large mushroom, but this one was almost hidden in long grass in a grassy bank at the side of the road to Pattingham.

Shaggy parasol

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Water boatmen

Water boatman

They can be seen skitting over the surface of still water in ponds and pools. In fact, there are two different species. The Lesser water boatman (second picture) is indeed, as its name implies, smaller. It also looks like it is walking on the water standing upright, whereas the water boatman lies on its back an appears to use its forelegs like oars.

Water boatman

The lesser boatman is vegetarian, the boatman predates just about anything in the pond which it is big enough to catch.

Water boatman

Water boatman

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Bee on Buddleia

Bee on Buddleia

A butterfly bush doesn’t just attract butterflies.

Bee on Buddleia

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Unidentified mushroom on woodchip mulch

Mushroom in mulch

Piles of wood chips by the roadside in Coppice Lane, Tettenhall are visited by these fungi each summer.

Mushroom in mulch