Wolves Wild

Close-up of a fairy ring mushroom. Although another can be seen in the background, there was no ring this time.

Trees beginning to take on the shades of autumn in the grounds of Himley Hall a couple of days ago.

This was a late flower I saw at the start of the month.

At the foot of the small sandstone hill behind Himley Hall are a couple of bricked-up artificial caves. They are the former ice houses for the Hall, just a short step from the kitchens, and built into the easily draining rock so that the water from the melting ice would just percolate away.

With the recent poor weather, I haven’t been getting out for many up to date pictures. This water boatman using its powerful legs to scull across the surface of a pond was taken early in July.

The sandstone cliff at Bridgnorth which separates the High Town from the river Severn. The gate in the lower picture covers Lavinton’s hole, the reputed site of the excavations which enabled the Parliamentary besiegers to take the town in the Civil War.

This nettle was still flowering a week or so back.

Primitive plants originating before flowers evolved. Often found in dark, damp spots.

In Wolverhampton, the old man’s beard is barely coming into flower. But in Bridgnorth the seeds of this plant were already beginning to ripen some days ago.

A favourite food for goldfinches, apparently.

Today’s posts are plants from the gardens on the valley side of Castle Walk in Bridgnorth – originally cultivated, but now seeming to have taken off on their own account.

This Virginia creeper was unusual not only in being even more vivid than normal, but also in having remnants of flowers.

The leaf has pointed lobes – perhaps from an exotic variety of oak.