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.
The bee seems to be trying to submerge itself head first in the flower in the centre of the picture.
Acer flowers are small and inconspicuous. Even in the slight breeze which was blowing the day this picture was taken, they were moving far too much for a detailed close-up.
The macro shot (above) was taken from a position where the flowers threatened to touch the lens as the plant moved in the slight breeze; the other picture far enough away to avoid perspective distortions.
Yet another insect posing for its picture as it warmed itself sunbathing in the middle of the morning.
There are several patches of lupins growing wild near the Wolverhampton to Bridgnorth road. This patch was in Worfield.
On a recent early morning after a heavy dew, the entire length of a low hedge seemed to be sprinkled with tiny snails nibbling at the leaves.
A ladybird rubbing its mouth parts with its front legs as it rested on an ivy leaf.
Comparing the effects of the presence (below) or absence (above) of a polarizing filter.
The plant is a member of the borage family. The hairs can cause skin irritation, so gloves are advisable when handling the plant.
The caterpillar was pictured with (above) and without (below) the addition of a close-up supplementary lens.
Stitchworts are a plant whose common names claim a relationship which doesn’t actually exist. The greater and the lesser both produce pleasant white flowers in the spring; the “wort” suffix to the names may indicate that they were once thought to be useful medicinally or for some other herbal purpose.