Common darter dragonfly flying over the waters of the Turner’s Field pond in the Smestow Valley Nature Reserve. It was defending its territory against another individual. Record shots (euphemistic way of saying I wish I’d got better pictures).
Ripening sloes, lichen, Barley Field
Sloes still slowly ripening on the blackthorns on the edge of the Barley Field, lichens on the branches carrying them.
Badger and nearby
Badger village and nearby. The village itself, with its thatched cottages and two ponds right by the road. I didn’t manage to get down into the Dingle on this visit, so I missed the third pond, the stream, and the remains of old houses carved into the rock.
Nearby, the large lake of the recently closed park at Patshull. On the way between the two, a big pond, formerly feeding a mill.
Dryad’s saddle, Railway Walk, Lower Penn
Dryad’s saddle fungi growing on a fallen log by the Railway Walk near Lower Penn.
Robins pincushion, briar in a hedge
Robins pincushion, a reddish, hair-like growth on wild rose bushes like this one in the roadside hedge at the bottom of Pattingham hill. A gall caused by larvae of a wasp.
Devon reds, Wombourne
Devon red cows and calves in a field at Wombourne. I was told by passers-by that the herd are kept for showing.