Often the closest views that can be obtained of butterflies, such as these Orange-tips, are if you are fortunate enough to find a pair getting up close and personal.

May is a magnificent month for nature on the Crane. Luxuriant fresh growth is in evidence everywhere, the dawn chorus is in full glorious cry and the coming summer seems eternal.

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Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Ribwort Plaintain is a short plant often found in low grassland and disturbed places. It has a delicate flowerhead that is almost always only partially in blossom.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Herb Robert is a common flower of the woodland floor. The small pink flowers are eyecatching, but in fact the distinctive deeply lobed leaves are perhaps even more attractive.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > This is one of the commonest plants along the grassy verges of Crane Park and can be seen in flower much of the year. Despite the deep blue flowers it is known as Green Alkanet.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Often the closest views that can be obtained of butterflies, such as these Orange-tips, are if you are fortunate enough to find a pair getting up close and personal.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Invertebrates are challenging to identify. Close inspection of this image reveals that this one at least seven legs and so may be some kind of orb spider.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Juvenile birds are a common sight in May as the first broods leave their nests. This freshly fledged Great Tit has just taken its maiden flight from the nest.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > The longer days and warm spring sunshine provide ample energy to activate some of last autumn's acorn fall. This Oak seedling has found a patch of open light and already looks well-established.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Although this exquisite bloom looks fresh from the tropical house at Kew Gardens, it is just in fact one of our commonest and most majestic trees, the Horse Chestnut. In May they are blooming profusely, with pendular flowers decorating their entire canopy.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Both Pink and White Campions can be found in some of the meadow areas in Crane Park. They grow fairly tall and provide a real splash of colour to open areas.

Often the closest views that can be obtained of butterflies, such as these Orange-tips, are if you are fortunate enough to find a pair getting up close and personal.