Beech Bleeding Canker

A bleeding canker on a beech tree, probably a Phytophthora sp.

Photos taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-03-17.

Damselfly

From last spring: a large red damselfly, Pyrrhosoma nymphula (Odonata: Coenagrionidae).  Distinguished from the small red damselfly, Ceriagrion tenellum, by its black legs.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-05-17.

Red Deadnettle

From my Thursday afternoon walk: a red deadnettle (Lamium purpureum).

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-03-17.

Coltsfoot

One of the first flowers to come out this spring: coltsfoot, Tussilago farfara.  I seem to remember the first one appeared in mid or early February.

Photos taken beside the top lake, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-03-15.

Mining Bee

Spring is now well under way and, on my walks, I am starting to see more than just the occasional insect that was all I was seeing even just a week ago.  This is a mining bee from Tuesday, possibly an Andrena angustior (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae).

Photo taken beside the top lake, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-03-15.