Wolves Wild

Growing on damp ground.

Several different types of grasses flowering or coming into flower. The forms of the flowers are very diverse.

All but one of these grasses was spotted on roadside verges during a one hour stroll.

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.

These two ladybirds were on different leaves of the same nettle plant. An aphid – their usual food – can be seen clinging below the leaf with the yellow and black ladybird on it.

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.