Coniferous plantation with deciduous borders.
Dull and warm, rain later.
Two pathogens on Willow to start. On the left we see the Willow Tar Spot - Rhytisma salicina - a fungal infection. And on the right the Willow Cabbage-gall. The gall is caused by the presence of a fly grub. This stops the branch from growing between leaves, thereby compressing the entire shoot into the cabbage shape shown. This compressed area is home to the grub until it hatches.
This is a Russula - the Beechwood Sickener. It grows in association with Beech trees. The specimen shown is 3 cm. across, and will be eaten by slugs by tomorrow.
This is another relative of the Frog-Hopper, or Leaf-Hopper. It has larger, more transparent wings, and a longer abdomen. Specimen about 8 mm. long.
This is a Stiletto Fly with the remains of its prey. It took me a while to work out, but those dark shapes to the left are the rear legs of a much larger insect - maybe an Ichneumon.
This Sawfly is completely jet black, including the wings. About 2 cm. long.
A lovely little Hoverfly, about 1 cm. long. Meliscaeva cinctella again.
This is the seed-head of the Common Spotted Orchid. The seeds are like grains of dust, surrounded by a thin filmy wing that helps each seed float a long distance in the wind.
I've seen many of these tiny (about 6mm.) flies on the Angelica. Those spikes on the rear legs must help to narrow down on an identification.