Closer views of the three herons featured in the previous post. One was standing as if asleep, but occasionally moving its head as it checked nothing was happening. The one in the middle was preening energetically, and the third was half-hidden in the greenery.
A sunny noon at the end of last month. Three herons on the edge of West Park’s boating lake island, all on the southern shore where they were catching the sun.
Although they were only a few yards from each other, they were all carefully standing so that none of them could see the other two birds.
A group of four little grebes, swimming rapidly up the canal. They were diving frequently for fish, and eating them without slowing down.
The bird in front was the largest of the four. It was still in summer plumage, and seemed to be calling frequently to the rest of the group.
Snowy waxcaps, timy pure white mushrooms so small that they were barely peeping above the moss they were growing through.
Male southern hawker in close-up.
This superb insect was resting on a bush by the side of the track at Northycote Farm back at the end of July.
I’ve just been reviewing my pictures, and realised I already posted several other pictures of this dragonfly, but for some reason, had missed out the most detailed one.
Male shoveller swimming at speed, the front of his beak ploughing the surface of the water as he heads across the boating lake at West Park.
Is it purple or is it blue? What colour is this periwinkle flower, do you think? Part of the winter colour from the planting at West Park.
Wood blewits are common fungi which grow in association with trees (surprise), deciduous or coniferous. The young mushrooms have a blueish or purple tinge, especially on the stems. The last traces of this colour is just visible on the stem here.
Swan standing on one leg, the other leg tucked under the wing so that only the foot was showing. It kept this posture for some time before starting to walk.
Portrait of a cygnet swimming on the River Severn, seen from above as it was about to pass under the bridge.
Bees taking shelter from a stiff autumn wind by clinging to the lichen-covered stones of the ruins of Bridgnorth Castle.
They were probably two of the insects which live in one or other of the several beesnests in crevices higher up in the structure.
The Avon at Stratford on a rainy day earlier this month.
