Wolves Wild

Lichens are composite organisms: a fungus and a plant working together, often to grow in a spot where it seems the only source of nutrition is the air. Many lichens produce structures rising proud of their main growth to disperse the spores or diaspores through which they reproduce. The ones rising here are towering and trumpet-shaped, indicating the lichen is possibly Cladonia fimbriata, a species often found on the tops of walls.

This one was growing on the top of the wall of Compton Hospice. It is growing surrounded by moss which is also sending up its fruiting bodies. They look like tiny elongated bladders on the end of long, thin stalks.

Long-tailed tits and a bluetit enthusiastically feeding on a fat ball in the bird feeding area at Northycote Farm.

The crocuses seemed to spend a long time as unopened buds this year. These were growing towards the back of Coppice Wood.

A view downstream along the River Avon from the Tramway Bridge at Stratford. Some of the swans and gulls attracted by the rich pickings from the tourists can be seen on the water.

Liverwort with broad leaves which were supposed to resemble a liver, and thus to have curative properties for liver problems, growing on a rock beside a lower-lying moss.

Both are evolutionarily primitive non-flowering plants.

After this winter’s persistent rains, the pool in the middle of Coppice Wood is spreading out so that it is almost reaching the footpath running around the edge of the wood.