David

Hellebores flowering in a shady area by the footpath along the Penk at Perton at the start of this month.

Several times, this muscovy duck would take a mouthful of water from the edge of Perton Pool. Then it would hod its head right back for perhaps half a minute before repeating the process. it didn’t seem to be in any distress. Was it gargling?

A mass of ivy leaves, their rims sprouting ice crystals on a frosty morning, with lighter sprinkings of crystals across the width of the leaves.

The male half of the goosander pair on the Severn at Bridgnorth, trailing some yards behind the female as they swam across the swollen river.

Clump of common inkcap mushrooms growing on a tree-stump, iced on a frosty morning in the Albrighton and Donington Local Nature Reserve.

There was a goosander pair swimming in the Severn by the Bylet at Bridgnorth. Here is the female leading the way across the river, occasionally pausing to pay a little attention to her plumage.