David

Views from both directions of Wightwick Mill Lock on the Staffs & Worcs Canal.

The lock and its surroundings were softened by the mist on Boxing Day morning.

A large earthstar,probably the collared earthstar, Geastrum triplex, the most accessible of a group growing under the hedgerow by the towpath heading into the countryside near Castlecroft.

This picture is of the same individual, five days later and from a different angle. A “collar” is beginning to develop.

The leaves and stems of an exotic shrub, lit by the (for once) bright morning sun, contrasting with the colours in the foliage of the evergreens in the background.

Wood pigeon hunching its shoulders and fluffing up its feathers to keep out the wintry cold.

Boxing Day, bright sunlight softened by mist which hung around for most of the morning.

My first picture that morning was this view looking across the pool to the ghostly trees bordering the Smestow Valley Railway Walk and the spectral trees of Tettenhall Ridge.

View looking across a field immediately outside Wolverhampton’s built-up area.