Blackthorn, with its long and vicious thorns, has flowers which appear before the leaves. In hawthorn the order is reversed. Here the blackthorn flowers are still tight little buds.
Magpie, Compton Park
Magpie searching through tussocky grass in Compton Park, after things to eat.
Soft rush, Willow Pond
Clump of soft rush growing near the edge of the water in Willow Pond in the Smestow Valley nature Reserve.
Sparrows on the qv
House sparrows on the lookout, ready to dart out from their sheltered perches to grab a nibble to eat.
Common whitlowgrass by roadside, Seisdon
Common whitlowgrass in its final burst of flowering, by roadside edge of Seisdon green. Presumably some part of the tiny plant (possibly the seed casings) was thought to resemble whitlows – and hennce the plant perhaps was used as a folk remedy.
Carrion crow on lichen-encrusted branch, Bantock Park
Carrion crow caught in bright sunlight as it stood on a heavily lichen-encrusted branch of a tree in Bantock Park. Its mate was also in the tree, obscured by branches.