Wolves Wild

Old and very corroded iron “keep out” notice in the woodland bordering Baggeridge Country Park. It looked like the remains of bracket fungi were all that was holding the metal on to the tree.

Marsh marigolds (aka kingcups) in flower recently. The ones seen from a closer viewpoint were on the margins of the pond in Bantock Park, the others on an island in the Compton Park pool.

A field next to the reserve had a huge Hereford bull in with cows from other species. including this pale-pelted cow, possibly a Blonde d’Aquitaine. For the few minutes I was watching, the bull seemed to be trying to get amorous, only to be met with a reply that eating the grass was more interesting.

Lady’s smock was just coming into flower when the reserve had its open day recently. The flowers scattered over the site seemed to be particularly elaborate.

Tortoiseshell butterfly resting on an old, fallen leaf as it suns itself to get warm one morning.

A grassy field by the former mill on the reserve, fenced off from public access, is being developed to encourage the wildflower community of a traditional hay meadow. On the Open Day, there was a lone clump of cowslips, too far away to look at in detail, but seeming to be thriving.

In the warm sunlight late this morning, the flowers of an angelica bush acted as a magnet attracting honey bees.

I’m not sure whether they were just focussed on their task or intoxicated by the nectar, but they didn’t seem to notice me as I got close enough for these macro shots.

A globe of flowers, attracting several bees, and another where the seeds seem to have already started to develop, from the magnificent angelica bush on Ruth’s allotment.

One of several entrances to a badger sett on a mound at the edge of the woods at Pendeford Mill. The entrance was half-hidden behind the roots of a sycamore tree, so it made me think it should rather have been the doorway for the home of a pixie, hobbit, or small bear, or the way into Alice’s Adventures Underground.

The jaunty pink of red campions, coming into flower as the bluebells started to fade.

Ramsoms (wild garlic) growing by the side of the Railway Walk, just as the flowers were about to open, before the plants developed their pungent aroma.

Greenfinch singing in elder bush in a hedge by a canal. The bird didn’t seem to mind that I was quite close, but it mostly kept its face in the shadow of higher branches.