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David

First dandelions of the year

Dandelion flower

Seen in the middle of February. Both plants had short stems with the flower close to the ground

Dandelion flower

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David

Snowdrops by a canal

Snowdrops by a canal

This cluster of snowdrops grows every year at the opposite side of the bridge to the violets which featured in yesterday’s post.

Snowdrops by a canal

Snowdrops by a canal

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David

Oxford ragwort flowering in February

Oxford ragwort flowering in February

The long flowering season for Oxford ragwort used to run from April to December.

This one was in full bloom in the middle of February.

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David

Purple crocuses

Purple crocuses

Strongest coloured of the spring crocuses.

Purple crocuses

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David

Violet leaves

Violet leaves

These violets grow on a sheltered and sunny bank by the Staffs and Worcs canal, which is normally one of the earliest spots locally where they come into flower.

A good fortnight after the picture of violets in the south-west flowering, there are still no signs these are nearing that stage.

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David

Fox skull

Fox skull

This was lying in the grass by the towpath only a short distance from where I was standing when taking the picture in the previous post.

The size of the skull and the prominent brow ridges indicate it belonged to a fox.

There were no signs of any other bones. There were no signs of the skull either when I went back a few days later.  It had most likely been cleared away by the British Waterways trimming and mowing crew who had been along in the meantime.

Fox skull

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David

Calm water

Staffs and Worcs canal near Compton

The Staffs and Worcs canal near Compton.

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David

Green lacewing

Green Lacewing

These delicate insects are often found indoors. This one was resting on bathroom tiles.

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David

Balloons by a canal

Hot air balloons

Spotted recently flying over the Staffs and Worcs canal near Castlecroft: these three hot air balloons.

Hot air balloon

Hot air balloon

Hot air balloon

Hot air balloon

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David

Crocuses in Bantock Park

Crocuses

Very near the snowdrops which featured in yesterday’s post.

Crocuses