Wolves Wild

Looking across Hinksford Lock on the Staffs & Worcs Canal, with a wooded ridge in the background.

Lactarius britannicus is a species of milk-cap mushroom sufficiently uncommon to lack an English name despite its striking appearance.

Like all milk-caps, a milky liquid seeps out when the flesh is cut or broken. In this species the liquid is initially milky in colour, but then turns yellow – best seen on a handkerchief.

Some reference sources claim that Lactarius britannicus should be identified with Lactarius fulvissimus. The fulvissimus species has a cap which gets pale at the rim .

Long section of a quiet country lane which doubles as the bed of a small stream.

I wasn’t sure that my boots were completely waterproof, so I didn’t look how far the ford carried on beyond the bend.

Subtle autumn colours in this view from the Smestow Valley LNR’s Barley Field.

To the fore, the patch of scrub and shrub in the middle of the Barley Field, known to the Smestow Valley Birders as Chat Clump.

Behind, the trees lining the Railway Walk and growing up Tettenhall Ridge. The evergreens still have their leaves, and some of the broad-leafed trees have tinges of colour as next year’s buds and catkins are already developing.

Ford in Wombourne, where the Wom brook emerges between houses to cross Giggety Lane.

Appaloosa – horse with a leopard-patterned coat standing in a field.