Blushing bracket, a common bracket fungus. These were growing on the trunk of a tree in the small wood by the Anglers’ Walk, a footpath along the River Avon heading upstream from Clopton Bridge in Stratford.
Bird in a bush: reclusive goldcrest
Just visible through the leaves of this bush, a reclusive goldcrest, making itself even harder to photograph by flitting to another branch every few seconds, seemingly at random.
Red and green: arils
They aren’t fruit. They aren’t berries. The bright red, squishy covering of yew seeds are arils. Notice the open ends. Look closely down this open end, it’s possible to see the seed within.
Heron fishing, swan nearby, Stratford
Heron watching for fish just downstream of the River Avon lock on the Avon at Stratford. A swan was also nearby, a few yards along the shore of the island separating the lock from the weir.
The river was high after lots of recent heavy rain. The water coming down the weir was making standing waves in the river. Perhaps the heron’s prey was fish taking refuge in the backwash just upstream of this disturbance.
Autumn leaves, spindle, Stratford
Bright, bright red leaves on a spindle tree, beside the River Avon, between the open air theatre and Holy Trinity Church, Stratford on Avon.
Lake, with swan family, Compton Verney
Swan family grazing on vegetation growing in the lake at Compton Verney. The lake itself is yet ano0ther “Capability” Brown creation, designed to show off the big house and itsextensive grounds.