Orchids, possibly pyrmaid orchids, growing in the Smestow Valley Nature Reserve.
One of these beautiful flowers had disappeared, presumably picked (illegal as well as antisocial) the day after I took its picture.
UPDATE, 23rd June.
Ecorecord think the pictures are more likely to be of southern marsh orchids.
Male broad bodied chaser resting on vegetation at the side of the Compton Park pool, keeping watch for intruders on its territory.
This is usually the first dragonfly species to appear each summer round here. Sexes can be told apart by their abdomen colour: pale blue in males, brownish in females.
Figwort growing by the edge of the canal between Compton and Wightwick, its flowers just beginning to open a few days ago
Oxeye daisy flowers, these growing by the Birmingham Canal part way along the twentyone locks.
The same greylag gosling featured in the previous post. As soon as it reached the grassy area at the side of the path it settled down, and kept stretching its neck out to grab a bite to eat.
One of a pair of this year’s greylag goslings in West Park, now getting well grow, already adopting the adult goose step as it walked along the lakeside path.
Large white butterfly feeding on a dandelion – the blue coloration is a reflection of the sky’s.
Cowslips on the wildflower meadow at Springvale Park. Flowering over, the seeds now beginning to develop.
Red horse chestnut flowers, from a tree growing by Birmingham New Road.
Same birds as in the previous post, but now seen from a direction looking towards the sunlit side of their plumage.
Heron by the side of the West Park lake, on the lookout for prey early one morning. Close by it a couple of mallards concentrate on taking care of their feathers.
Reds and greens of waterlily leaves, with a background of reflected sky on the surface of the Fowler’s Park pond.