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David

Large horse’s hoof fungi, Himley churchyard

Large horse's hoof fungus, Himley churchyard

Large horse’s hoof fungi on a big tree stump in Himley churchyard. The same stump was also supporting a fine crop of another fungus: giant polypore.

Each of the brackets of the horse’s hoof fungus was over eighteen inches across.

Large horse's hoof fungus, Himley churchyard

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David

Pink: Himalayan balsam flower

Pink: Himalayan balsam flower

Himalayan balsam, an intrusive plant which now grows in great abundance, especially beside streams and canals. The delicate-looking pink or white flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.

Pink: Himalayan balsam flower

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David

Giant polypore, Himley churchyard

Giant polypore, Himley churchyard

Large clumps of giant polypore fungus around a tree stump at the edge of Himley churchyard. The tree was also infested with the horse’s hoof fungus. The fungi between them were probably the reason the tree needed felling.

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David

Earthballs (some with tiny insects)

Earthball (with tiny insect)

Earthball fungi among the summer leaf litter on the ground of Himley Plantation. Some of this group of fungi were attracting small insects.

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David

Blue in green: water mint flower

Blue in green: water mint flower

Blue of one of the water mint flowers on the pool at Compton Park, seen against the greens of the leaves of mints and reeds.

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David

Ruddy darter in flight, Compton Park pool

Ruddy darter in flight, Compton Park pool

The male ruddy darter dragonfly featured in the previous post, now launched on another flight to defend its territory on Compton Park pool from the two interlopers.