Wolves Wild

Daffodils by the pond at Bantock Park, mid-February as the flower buds were just beginning to develop, but not yet showing any trace of yellow.

A tree had been brought down, fallen right across the Smestow Brook near Newbridge. These fungi were growing from the trunk, directly over the middle of the stream.

The fruiting bodies must have emerged after the tree had fallen. There were more tiny ones speckling the trunk, just emerging. Because of the position of the fungi, there was no way of getting close enough for a proper ID even if I’d wanted to.

Rhododendrons on one bush in West Park flowering in the middle of last month, at a time when other bushes in the park and across the city had buds as yet unopened.

The weather then had seen alternating periods of gale-force storms and frosty nights, with combined effects seen in the damage to these flowers, even those not yet fully open.

I couldn’t see what is was that the West Park squirrel was burying. It wasn’t very big, but the squirrel was putting a lot of effort into covering it over. That meant it was clear where the disturbed ground with buried treasure was.

A pine tree, probably a black pine, stands tall over the other species spreading in the vicinity of the tea rooms in West Park.

A pair of magpies under one of the horse chestnut trees in Bantock Park. They were searching the short grass (part of the Pitch and Putt course) for things to eat.