Wolves Wild

Looking both ways across the river: two goosanders on a half-submerged log sheltered by the tip of the Bylet at Bridgnorth. Possibly an adult female and a now adult-sized young one hatched earlier this year.

Yet another insect attracted to the September ivy flowers and their pollen: a greenbottle fly. Like the insects in the other posts over the past couple of days, this was on ivy in the towpath hedge by the canal at Compton.

Another insect taking advantage of the the September flowering, getting ivy pollen. A bee busy going around all the flowers, although to me it looked like its pollen baskets were already full to capacity.

Rising on a thermal in the Smestow Valley. A buzzard pair resident on Tettenhall ridge, seen here from Compton Rough.

Mid-September: ivy just beginning to come into flower when most other plants are well along ripening their seeds, berries or fruit. A magnet for insects getting some ivy pollen. Insects so intent in their task on sunny days, they carry on undisturbed when I get up close with a close-up lens. Here hoverflies.

Red which should be for warning on this yew “berry” – a fleshy aril surrounding the seed. The bright colour is there to tempt some bird or animal to eat it, dispersing the seed via its digestive tract. Can be contrary to the health or even the life of whatever, though some birds, such as thrushes or waxwings, are able to digest the arils and pass out the toxic seeds undigested.