Growing on damp ground.
Various grasses flowering
Swans nesting on Wye bridge, Hereford
There’s actually a pair of swans here, mating.
Followed up by both having a good preen.
One bird (the female?) then built a nest one one of the small islands holding a pier of the bridge. The limits of the perfunctory looking nest are marked by a child’s hat which has been dropped from the bridge and an empty drinks can.
Later, and the swan is now preening a few yards away from the nest.
The lone egg will probably still be warming in the hot afternoon sun. But the pair give many signs they may be inexperienced. The river only needs to rise a few inches to sweep away the nest.
Two different ladybirds
Duck and ducklings series
As I was coming from Birmingham by train, I noticed this duck and ducklings swimming in the Birmingham canal. It was a fifteen minute walk to get back to where they were. These were the pictures I managed before a boat came along and disturbed them.
She has really unusual markings, which show most clearly in this picture. Perhaps she is a cross.
They were giving their swimming some welly for such young birds.