Wolves Wild

There seem to be several cross-bred ducks (mallard x unidentified other) turning up on the lake in West Park recently. Most of them just put in a brief appearance, but this one with dark plumage has been handing round for longer than usual.

Snow in March. The flowers on a camelia bush weighed down with snow earlier this month.

Snow-white feathers and feathered bootees mark this pigeon as an exotic domesticated variety, doubtless an escapee. It wasn’t getting any noticeable hostility from the usual West Park pigeon denizens. Nor did it seem to be getting any positive responses from what looked like attempts to be amorous.

Snow in March. In the background, out of focus, flowers opening on a camelia bush.

The breeding season is also the peak fighting season. Four of the West Park coots by the shore. Two close by, watching while the other two go at it hammer and tongs. They weren’t just using beaks, but also their vicious-looking feet. Most likely the fighters were two males; the spectators their respective mates. After the brief flurry, one pair swam off, a combatant and a spectator. Despite the aggro, it didn’t look like any actual injuries had been inflicted.

Lichens growing on adjacent trees by the perimeter path in West Park. I was drawn to the textures in the contrasting patterns in the cracking of the tree bark as well as the contrasting colours and textures of the different species of lichen.