Swan courtship, Christmas Day, West Park

Swan courtship, Christmas Day, West Park

West Park, early afternoon, Christmas Day. Many people probably looking forward to their Christmas dinner, others discouraged by the cold wind and intermittent drizzle, so it was very quiet in the park.

On the lake, at least three pairs of swans seemed to think it was spring already, and were doing a courtship dance.

Wood blewits, two crops, Compton Hill

Wood blewits, two crops, Compton Hill

Wood blewit mushrooms on the grassy area on Compton Hill, in front of Captain’s Close. They are growing in an exposed spot, so get kicked over shortly after appearing. It seems as soon as one set have all been destroyed, another crop pops up This is a selection of the second and third such crops.

All alone and shingle

All alone and shingle

The lone muscovy drake on the large pool at Perton, on the shingle beach where the Penk flows into the pool.

Teazles at Christmas

Teazles at Christmas

Teazle seed heads in the Compton Park wetland area. Mid-morning on Boxing Day, there were very few other people about waqlking off the excesses of the day before, perhaps put off by the slippy mud underfoot, left after the recent heavy rain.