Wolves Wild

One flower already open, and another about to, on a shrub of a hibiscus species.

It’s a classic travel brochure shot, but I couldn’t resist the sight of these small fishing boats and their reflections in the calm waters of the harbour in the French resort of Cassis.

Last time I visited Northycote Farm one of the ducks looking like it had just finished smearing its chest feathers in mud.

Dwarveshatstand, or policeman’s helmet, or Himalayan balsam, flowering. Look out for this tall weed by a canal near you.

Last month’s full moon rises over a former chateau (now luxury apartments) on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean.

Blue-tailed damselfly resting on vegetation hanging over the canal at Castlecroft.

Wetland Lake is the landscape water feature of the new development in Compton Park. Until yesterday it was surrounded by buildersfencing which meant it was only visible from a distance.

The lake is fed by a previously culverted section of the Graiseley brook. The lake has already established vegetation and a wooden footbridge, from which this picture was taken.

It’s already beginning to attract wildlife: a first quick stroll across the bridge gave a view of dragonflies as well as other water insects.

Safe up a tree on an island in the lake at West Park, a heron stays watchful.

It even kept an eye on me.

The size of these blackberries gives away that they are a cultivated variety.

Purple loosestrife in flower, as it grows by the edge of the pool at Bantock Park.

Soft downy “parachutes” carry thistle seeds away from the parent plant. Here it looks like the plant is having a bad hair day. Have the seeds been disarranged by the wind, or by hungry birds?

Ripening damsons, one of which has been attacked by some kind of insect.