Spider nursery 2 August 2013 by DavidMass of young cross spiders huddling together in a web. The spiderlets had disappeared by the next morning, together with almost all evidence of the web.
Bumble bee on orange buddleia flower 2 August 2013 by DavidColour matching between a bee’s livery and the flowers of a buddleia growing wild near Compton Lock.
Insect with long antennae 1 August 2013 by DavidUnidentified insect resting on the leaf of a hawthorn bush.
Reed flowering 1 August 2013 by DavidFlower of a canalside reed. A single thread of spider silk is connecting the stem to the nearest leaf.
Frog sheltering 1 August 2013 by DavidFrog which came under cover, apparently to shelter, during a recent heavy shower.
Heron preening 1 August 2013 by DavidHeron taking care of its feathers.The bird was on the deserted playing fields of Smestow School, as seen from the canal towpath.
Blue-tailed damselfly 31 July 2013 by DavidBlue-tailed damselfly resting on the seed-head of a poolside reed.
White dog roses 31 July 2013 by DavidWild roses flowering on a bush growing on the edge of the Barley Field in the Smestow Valley Nature Reserve.
Coot feeding lone chick 31 July 2013 by DavidCoot feeding a chick on West Park lake.This is either the ones shown here, or here.Several coot pairs living on the lake seem to have had breeding successes this year, but each just with a single chick.
Moorhen and lone chick 30 July 2013 by DavidSingle moorhen chick together with one parent.They were swimming and feeding on the canal near Compton.