We went for a walk in Culbin Forest on Sunday. Hoped for some mushrooms for mushroom soup but it's obviously too early in the year for chanterelles. Still, we were surrounded by wildlife
Not edible, but interesting nevertheless
In gravel-pit ponds, frog offspring was hopping about...
They are so cute I couldn't resist picking one up for petting
This one still has toad tail:
Little fishies:
Away from the pond, rosebay willowherbs proudly presented their pink flowers:
Restharrows were a bit more discreet...
It was mating time for ringlets (Aphantopus hyperantus) - plenty of them flying about:
I noticed this bright lemony-yellow fungus growing on a tree stump. I guess, it's Tremella mesenterica - "yellow brain":
But the main attraction were the little, black workers
Red wood ants (Formica rufa), red with black abdomen and legs, fascinating little fellows:
I spent a lot of time watching them from safe distance - if disturbed these tiny soldiers can inflict a painful bite!
Busy...busy...
A closer look:
Many ant nests in Culbin are located very close to tracks and paths, so it is easy to spot them - but please, don't harm these little fellows if you stumble across their home!