Russulas are a group of mushrooms sometimes called brittlegills. Many species in this grouping have strongly and distinctively coloured caps, making them easy to identify. The common yellow russula is the most common species in Britain. Prized by some wild food enthusiasts, though probably not specimens like this one growing by a path in Himley Plantation, already well chewed by denizens of the wood.
Just as I began taking this series of pictures, the young robin featured noticed that another robin was infringing its territory, just out of shot further in the hawthorn bush. It turned to sing a song challenging the interloper. As I took my hand off the camera controls, it flew at then other, chasing it away.
Morning sun casting a pattern of light and shade on a reed leaf covered with drops of water from overnight rain, and on a delicate-looking spider’s web.
Two different species of bracket fungi on a tree stump by the Railway Walk – a weeping polypore and a horse’s hoof fungus
Red leaves in front of green leaves. Virginia creeper and ivy covering the wall of the former lock keeper’s cottage at Wightwick Lock.
Red admiral butterflies, a species where the adult stage may still possibly be seen at this time of year. They come out to feed on warm, sunny days, heading for ivy which is at the height of its flowering season.