Two little grebes on adjacent stretches of the canal between the Wildside Centre and the Water Bridge.
One is a mature bird, the one still in summery plumage. The other is possibly a juvenile.
This latter bird seems to be more successful in its fishing, catching something every time it dives. It is also fiercely protective of its territory when the older bird encroaches.
Dead man’s fingers, a fungus which grows on dead wood, here a moss-covered tree stump in Hawthorn Wood.
Male blackbird hunting for food on a patch of ground with short grass by the canal towpath at Penkridge. Recent rain had left the soil damp, so the bird was finding rich pickings.
Daffodils opening or already open at the start of the month. Heavy rain earlier had left the flowers with lots of drops of water, but the sun had come out for a while when I got these pictures.
Nest-hole of one (or more) of the ring-necked parakeets now resident locally. Seen from the opposite side of the canal, a highish vantage point provided by the bridge over the side arm to Victoria Wharf.
I saw the bird fly into the trees, calling loudly. It landed on one of the trees next to the one with the nest, carrying on squawking. Seconds later it went into the nest – just as I’d got my camera ready.
Nest is perhaps home to one or a pair of the birds from the small flock which hang out in the woodland on the other side of the canal, nearer to Newbridge.
Japanese cherry in a front garden, the flowers all out at the end of January.