Heron, high on willow, West Park

Heron, high on willow

I’ve not been getting to West Park very often recently. If any herons have been visiting, it must have been on a different schedule – it’s a long time since I last saw any. Then this one put in a brief appearance, standing tall on the fallen but still growing willow.

Cinnabar moth caterpillars, Himley Park

Cinnabar moth caterpillars, Himley Park

There have been very few cinnabar moth caterpillars this year. Until a recent visit to Himley Park, I had seen precisely one.

Cinnabar moth caterpillars, Himley Park

On a group of ragworts near the bottom pool, finally, several on each plant, busyly eating leaves and flowers.

Lazy days of summer

Cows

Herefords doze in the shade of a small group of trees at the edge of a field at Pendeford. On an equally sunny day, a horse strides through its field at Tettenhall.

Horse

Odd couple (muscovy and cross)

Odd couple (muscovy and cross)

The dark bird is a muscovy duck I first noticed in West Park in June. The other, much larger, appears to be a muscovy / Aylesbury cross. First spotted a few weeks later. Since then, the two have gone round together.

Resting in the sun: Bagot goats, Baggeridge

Resting in the sun: Bagot goats, Baggeridge

Bagot goats at Baggeridge Country Park. Resting and relaxing in the sun, taking a break from their allotted task. keeping the encroaching vegetation on the slopes of Toposcope Hill under control.