Wolves Wild

Two different cranesbill species: both spotted while walking in the Smestow Valley LNR.

The bumble bee was clinging determinedly to a tree on a cold and breezy day.

Whenever I visit the Conservatory at West Park, there seem to be a couple of ants which have been drawn to this exotic flower.

I’m not sure if this was a harlequin, or the melanistic form of the 2-spot ladybird (which has the red and black colours reversed). It was tiny, so perhaps a 2-spot.

A miniature marvel of Victorian engineering: windows in the roof of West Park Conservatory, the rods to open them from ground level, and counterbalances to make the opening and closing easier.

Towards the end of April, there was a day’s break from the persistent, heavy rain. But it was still so dull that the dandelions stayed closed up.

This was one of the smaller umbellifers – the plant was perhaps at knee level – and the first flowers were just beginning to open.

April was a good month for close-ups of plants after heavy rain.

Another ornamental fruit tree, possibly apple. This was in the field behind Compton lock.

A small pool in the Conservatory at West Park, with a few goldfish. It isn’t a wishing well, or a fountain to throw three coins in, but some people seem to have done that anyway.

Partially-opened oak leaves – these on a tree next to the West Park Conservatory.

The conjunction of the various stages of a dandelion flower caught my eye.