Wolves Wild

A cluster of warty puffballs were growing on a tree stump.

The fungi were very small, and so tightly grouped they were squeezing into one another.

One of the Smestow Valley buzzards riding a thermal over Barley Field as it gains height to go off hunting.

Little grebes return to the canal near Compton to make their winter quarters every year. They prefer to stay near the bank opposite the tow path.

The frequently dive and completely submerge themselves on the hunt for small fish. This one wasn’t fishing, but drinking the water it was swimming in.

Glistening inkcaps grow as clusters of mushrooms on dead wood. Often, as here, the wood is buried and invisible.

A spider had thoroughly entangled the top of this ageing dock plant, which was right on the edge of the canal at Castlecroft.

Comma butterfly feeding on ivy flowers. Both pictures show its long tongue reaching out for nectar.

It moved, showing the two wings on either side of its body. As far as I know, all butterflies have four wings, but commas are one of the few species which hold themselves so that it is easy to see each wing.

Male blackbird probing the ground recently between the fallen leaves in search of something to eat.

Cones just beginning to form on an exotic conifer in a front garden facing Compton Road.

One of the running horse sculptures along the Wolverhampton to Birmingham railway line, its paint peeling and the metal underneath rusting.

Only the head was visible over the wall near Smethwick Rolfe Street station. I liked the juxtaposition of colours and textures with the autumn leaves forming the backdrop.

Ripening grapes dangling from a vine which is trained over a front gate locally.

I was surprised how well they had done, especially after the weather we have had this year.