Wolves Wild

Pair of geese mating in the shallows of the Severn by the Bylet at Bridgnorth. Like many of the geese which gather on the river there, the male has the all white feathers suggesting feral descent, which is likely also the reason for the female’s patchier white plumage.

Notice the aggression involved. The actions also triggered loud and continuing honking from the large number of geese on the Bylet.

Pair of geese mating in the shallows of the Severn by the Bylet at Bridgnorth. Like many of the geese which gather on the river there, the male has the all white feathers suggesting feral descent, which is likely also the reason for the female’s patchier white on the plumage.

Notice the aggression involved. The actions also triggered loud and continuing honking from the large number of geese on the Bylet.

Pasque flower in full show in one of the front gardens of East Castle Street, Bridgnorth, just a couple of days after Easter.

Last year at this time there were two plants with different coloured flowers. Only one seems to have made it through the past twelve months.

Not easy to spot among the silhouettes of the branches, because the bird is mostly in silhouette itself.

Towards the middle of each picture, look out for the long streamers of the parakeet’s tail show hanging down. Sometimes there is a touch of green when the sun lit up its feathers as it turned its head while preening.

The temporary island on the upstream edge of Bridgnorth bridge, formed by flotsam brought down by the persisting high river levels, was still getting bigger last time I visited the town.

This time there were two species of wagtails hopping over the fallen trees, probably in search of insects to eat.

A grey wagtail, perhaps the bird I had pictured on a previous visit, was only around when I didn’t have my camera out. This pied wagtail was more obliging.

There was also a pair of mallards, looking like they had taken up residence.

Boating lake island in West Park seen just before a spring dawn, with a waning moon showing over the trees.

Narrow boat coming round a bend in the canal. This rural-looking scene is a perhaps ten minute brisk walk from the Castlecroft estate, along a route popular with joggers and dog-walkers.

Little grebes on Spring Pool recently. Four birds were present. All were in breeding plumage, though they seemed to be ignoring each other when I was there.

The pictures are of the two which came close enough to just about get in camera range.

West Park cormorant, stayed perching for some time at water level for a change. It seemed to be looking around its nose disdainfully at the gulls around it and the Canada geese swimming by.

Another of the clumps of marsh marigolds growing by the Bantock Park pool. Pictures taken at the same time as yesterday’s, but these flowers had already opened.

Another day, another visit to West Park. The on and off visiting cormorant was there again, as usual on its high vantage point, and preening.