Category: David

More signs of spring on Tettenhall upper green. These snowdrops had been planted by the side of the road leading up from the traffic lights at the top of the Rock towards the Tettenhall shops. This road runs through a short cutting, so the neighbouring section of the green forms a bank. So the snowdrops were conveniently on ground which varied between my waist and shoulder height as I stood on the pavement. No need, therefore, to get into any kind of awkward position to picture the flowers on their own level.

Tufted duck on West Park lake watching me warily. In winter, the handful of these birds which can be spotted on the lake at any time of year increases to a gathering which usually numbers some twenty to thirty or so. The drakes almost always outnumber the females present.

Another tuftie drake on the same day. This one was heading away from me, with the breeze catching the tuft – the feathers sticking out from the back of the head.

More of the flowers which signal that winter might not last much longer. These crocuses were on the upper green at Tettenhall, concentrated in a patch by the bus stop.

A moorhen on the lake at West Park which seemed to decide to swim at speed straight towards me, for no particular reason which seemed evident.

Among the early growth in the year, the flowers of many trees and bushes which use the wind to spread their pollen. From now through to spring, it’s catkin season. Some of the most impressive catkins are the tassels on the silk tassel bush, Garrya eliptica.

River Severn with English Bridge, Shrewsbury. The days after Christmas 2024 were misty. Earlier that morning, the mist had been really thick, but by mid-afternoon it had thinned, so this was all that was left.
This video clip only last a quarter of a minute or so, but I find it soothing despite the traffic across the bridge, and the jogger who pounded past behind me as I was filming.