Little grebes return to the canal near Compton to make their winter quarters every year. They prefer to stay near the bank opposite the tow path.
The frequently dive and completely submerge themselves on the hunt for small fish. This one wasn’t fishing, but drinking the water it was swimming in.
Glistening inkcaps grow as clusters of mushrooms on dead wood. Often, as here, the wood is buried and invisible.
A spider had thoroughly entangled the top of this ageing dock plant, which was right on the edge of the canal at Castlecroft.
Comma butterfly feeding on ivy flowers. Both pictures show its long tongue reaching out for nectar.
It moved, showing the two wings on either side of its body. As far as I know, all butterflies have four wings, but commas are one of the few species which hold themselves so that it is easy to see each wing.
Male blackbird probing the ground recently between the fallen leaves in search of something to eat.
Cones just beginning to form on an exotic conifer in a front garden facing Compton Road.