Wolves Wild

Some of the narcissus when they were at the peak of their flowering in West Park at the start of this month.

Pair of mallards resting on the shore of West Park’s boating lake. The female was perhaps asleep, but the male was wide awake and keeping a close watch on me.

By chance, both pictures captured the birds with their nictating membranes (so-called third eyelids) protecting and moisturising their eyes while still leaving them able to see movement and potential threats.

Unopened flower buds, seen on the same bush at the same time as the flowers in the previous post.

Close-up views of hawthorn flowers in a hedge. From a distance only the pure white of the petals ontrasting with the yellow-green of the newly unfolded leaves hits the eye. A closer approach shows a wash of yellow and blush of pink of the reproductive parts.

Rich reds of a flower bud and opened flowers on a rhododendron bush growing near one of the entrances to West Park recently.

Coot sitting on short grass by the path round West Park lake, with its head stretched out to perhaps twice the usual length.