Category: David

Sheep, one in a field of pregnant ewes, nibbling at the nearby grass while lying down.

Recently-excavated entrance to a badger sett, under the hedge by the canal at Newbridge. Traces of the badger(s) using the entrance show up best on the left of the soft earth.

One of the footprints. Not dissimilar to those of a large dog, but the toes are more likely to leave an impression, and the sole leaves a kidney-shaped mark clearly wider than it is long.

Chillington Wharf, off the Birmingham Canal near Bilston Road, was originally built for water transport to and from a major ironworks nearby. When the works closed, it became a depot for transferring goods between the canal and the railway (hidden in the background of these pictures).

An indication of the length of time the site has been falling into picturesque dereliction: the post standing in the middle ground of the top picture is from a gas lamp.

Heron perched in a willow tree at the river edge of the churchyard in Stratford on Avon.

The bird stayed for some time, despite lively pedestrian traffic, sometimes directly under its tree. It even turned its head to keep a disdainful eye on a dog running loose on the footpath under the tree.

The long plumes dangling at its front show that the bird was already preparing for the breeding season when the pictures were taken (mid-January).

Reeds growing in the middle and at the edge of the pool in Hickman Park, Bilston, when it was frozen a couple of weeks ago.

Buds which will soon be opening as this year’s oak leaves, as they were beginning to grow in the middle of January.