David

This giant hogweed was on the snowy bank of the frozen Staffs and Worcs canal near Castlecroft.

The larches are the trees behind Compton lock, where this heron can often be found on the lookout. These pictures were taken on Boxing Day, when the trees were weighed down with snow and ice.

Hazel catkins encased in ice.

This snowdrop was coming into bloom yesterday by Kinver church.

Swans on the partially frozen Staffs and Worcs canal at Castlecroft (above) and Compton (below).

This series of pictures of black-poplar catkins was taken yesterday.

My reference sources, some 20-30 years old, give the flowering season as March/April.

More from the experiment in black and white. This is Autherley Junction, where the Shropshire Union canal joins the Staffs and Worcs.

Taken yards from the previous picture, but turning round to face to where the Shropshire Union heads off towards Cheshire.

These two are at Aldersley Junction, where the Birmingham canal network meets the Staffs and Worcs.

One of the larches in the grounds of Bantock Park, covered in snow and ice over Christmas.

A pair of swans on the Wyrley and Essington canal preening yesterday.

Patterns formed after the coldest night of the hard spell.