Wolves Wild

Small cluster of velvet shank fungi growing on a fallen tree trunk opposite Cupcake Junction.

Every few years, waxwings begin to run low on winter food in Scandinavia, and there is an “invasion” of these colurful birds which can sometimes reach the far south. It isn’t looking like like this is going to be one of these years, so here is a reminder of the last time they were here in large numbers. That was back in the snowy January of 2013.

A large bank of last year’s bracken, dry and browning, by the edge of a narrow side road at Quatford.

Female blackbird on the parapet wall of the old canal Bridge at Newbridge, eating a small amount of grain someone had scattered on the stones. She had just, too quickly for me to get mu camera out, chased off another female which had landed first to eat the food.

Side pool of the Avon at Stratford, with the red of the bare branches of a dogwood bush on the shore and its reflection in the water adding a touch of colour.

Distant views of a great spotted woodpecker hunting ants on an otherwise deserted playing field in Shottery on the outskirts of Stratford on Avon.

Collared earth star fungi seen on the same walk. One set growing by the footpath across the South Staffordshire Golf Club, Tettenalll. The others growing in a front garden near Newbridge.

Ducks at Northycote Farm taking a quick bath in their drinking water on frosty morning recently.

Unidentified species of small bracket fungi with wavy edge. growing on a tree stump by the path along the Penk at Perton.

Wren on the shoreline of the Smestow by the Newbridge entrance to the Smestow Valley LNR. At first I thought it was taking a drink. Then I zoomed in to focus on it. Now I saw it was turning over the fallen leaves, I guess looking for insects hidden underneath.

The texture of the bark on a mature tree in the garden of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust property, Hall’s Croft in Stratford on Avon.

Swans coming in for landing on the river at Stratford, after circling two or three times. Wings and tails held to act as brakes as they descend, then ghe great oary feet skimming the surface of the water to lose more momnetum.