Fri 2009-12-25 
Soldier beetle Cantharis rustica (Coleoptera: Cantharidae). According to Michael Chinery (Complete British Insects, Collins, 2005) the reddish femurs and the black spot on the upper surface of the thorax are what distinguish this species from several similar soldier beetles.
Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2007-05-19.
Thu 2009-12-24 
From the summer of 2007: what is probably nipplewort (Lapsana communis). My identification would be more certain if only I had taken a photograph of the leaves as well, but back in 2007 I had not yet learned to do that.
Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2007-06-02.
Wed 2009-12-23 
From a family walk between Loddon Bridge and Dinton Pastures in 2008: the dried seed heads of fuller's teasel (Dipsacus fullonum). Before the 20th Century these were widely used in the textile industry to raise the nap (ie: tease out the fibres) of wool and other fabrics, even being incorporated into machinery to do this.
Photos taken at Dinton Pastures, Winnersh, near Reading, UK, on 2008-09-28.
Tue 2009-12-22 
From the summer of 2008: a caterpillar of the vapourer moth, Orgyia antigua (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). This is another moth in which the females are wingless.
Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2008-08-29.
Mon 2009-12-21 
From the summer of 2008: the berries of cuckoo pint (Arum maculatum), also known as lords and ladies, and various other names. For more details on the poisonous nature of, and the folklore associated with this plant, see this page at the Poison Garden.
Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2008-08-23.
