Dandelion in Autumn

Thursday 28th September 2000, West Yorkshire

Nature Diary Rocks History Workshop Links Home Page

ROADSIDE VERGES are sprinkled yellow by Autumn Dandelion, which, at a glance, looks like a feebler version of the lusher Dandelions that flowered on the same verges in the spring. Autumn Dandelion, which is also known as Autumn Hawkbit, Leontodon autumnalis, usually has branched flowerheads.

Today we're having a change from the grey, rainy autumn weather that had set in over the past week. Our local House Martins circle under a cerulean blue sky. They swoop down, then sharply up, to take a look at their nests that are sheltered under the barge boarding on the gable end of a neighbour's house. They will soon be making one last inspection before starting their long journey to Africa.

An olivey warbler - and I have to admit I can't tell whether it is a willow warbler or a chiffchaff - visits the teasels by the our garden pond.

At the edge of a city centre car park, a Red Admiral feeds on a Buddlehia flower.

Richard Bell,
wildlife illustrator
E-mail; 'richard@willowisland.co.uk'

Next page Previous page Nature Diary Wild West Yorkshire home page