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David

West Park Views, May 2024

A few shots grabbed during a short walk in West Park, Wolverhampton in May 2024.

A magpie gathers a long twig for its nest, while another quarters the ground for invertebrates to eat. A squirrel sits up, begging for food. Recently hatched goslings nibble among short grass.

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David

Common garden spiders, recently hatched

Common garden spiders, recently hatched

Little tiny spiders, moving round on two webs on the same honesty plant. They were baby common garden spiders (sometimes called cross spiders from marks prominent on adult females) and must have been very recently hatched when I spotted them.

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David

Red chestnuts

Red chestnuts

Red horse chestnut flowers, arranged in their so-called candelabra, early last month.

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David

Old, old earth star

Old, old earth star

Lots of fungi fruiting bodies are here and then they’re gone in a matter of days or less. Either they’ve done the job they’re evolved to do, disperse the pores, or they’re nibbled to nothing.

Earth stars are among the exceptions. These specimens were by the canal path between Compton and Wightwick. They’re so battered by now that I wouldn’t like to guess which species of earth star they are. They probably emerged last autumn, and they’re definitely showing signs of their age.

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David

Chilean lantern tree flowers, West Park

Chilean lantern tree flowers, West Park

The flowers on this Chilean lantern tree were striking, and the tree looked like it had been in its place down the side of the West Park Conservatory for many years, but I don’t remember ever noticing it before.

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David

Hawthorn flowers, really close

Hawthorn flowers, really close

I was a few minutes early for a medical appointment. There was a hawthorn hedge with lots of flowers. So I got out my mobile phone and held it close to some flowers.

Hawthorn flowers, really close