Hungry greylag, willow

Hungry greylag, willow

From one of the islands on West Park lake, a willow overhangs the water.

Swimming on that water, a greylag goose, ready for a change from the grass which is a staple item in its diet.

The goose stretched its neck up as far as it would go, stripped a couple of leaves from the tree, and ate them. It seemed to like the flavour, as it was still repeating the process when I left.

Yuccas flowering, seeding

Yuccas flowering, seeding

Flowers on some of the yuccas in West Park. On other plants on the same day, the flowers had already gone over, and the seeds were just beginning to develop.

Ring, ring, ringlet

Ring, ring, ringlet

Ringlet butterfly. They’re usually more nervous than related species such as gatekeepers and meadow browns. But this one stayed on the grass of the Barley Field, only adjusting its position slightly, as I managed to get off several shots.

Rainbow effect, web

Rainbow effect, web

A tiny spider’s web. It looked recently made, but there was no sign of an owner.

Rainbow effect, web

The sunlight was catching it at the right angle to make a gentle rainbow effect from some of the strands.

Insecure perch

Insecure perch

A lesser black backed gull looking round and preening as it stood on a fallen branch in West Park lake. I couldn’t see how it found enough solid to perch securely.

Insecure perch

More greens: teazles

More greens: teazles

Some of the teazles of the wetland area by the Compton Park pond, revisited. The highest leaves were now opening up to reveal the hook-covered flower heads.