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David

Jay high in tree, Himley Plantation

Jay high in tree, Himley Plantation

This jay had been foraging on the ground in Himley Plantaion. It had just found something to eat, possibly an acorn, and flown up onto a high branch to have it undisturbed.

Jay high in tree, Himley Plantation

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David

Wary squirrels, Himley Plantation

On your marks ...

On my most recent visit to Himley Ppantation there seemed to be squirrels everywhere. These were two which paused as if to have their pictures taken, then retreated even though I was a long way off.

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David

Deeply-indented acer leaves, Castle Grounds, Bridgnorth

Deeply-indented acer leaves, Castle Grounds, Bridgnorth

Vivid autumn colours from two Japanese acer bushes with deeply indented leaves, in the park in the Castle Grounds, Bridgnorth.

Deeply-indented acer leaves, Castle Grounds, Bridgnorth

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David

Egyptian goose on path, West Park

Egyptian goose on path, West Park

The Egyptian goose back by teh boating lake in West Park. This time it had managed to get away from the crowds of larger geese, but was still eagerly after bread.

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David

Autumn butterfly on a stone wall

Autumn butterfly on a stone wall

On a mid-November morning a red admiral butterfly rests on the stone wall of a garden, warming itself in direct sunlight.

Autumn butterfly on a stone wall

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David

Birch polypore on a fallen trunk

Birch polypore on a fallen trunk

Birch polypore fungus, also known as the birch bracket or razor strop fungus, is found quite often growing on the trunks or main branches of birch trees. It’s a parasite of the trees, and it’s not unusual for the fungus to have finished the tree off and to be growing on fallen wood, as here.

The fruiting body had various uses: sharpening razors, as tinder for starting fires, and medicinal. Ötzi the iceman, whose five thousand year old frozen body was found in an Alpine glacier, was carrying some some.