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Exe 2015: Cheeky young gull

Cheeky young gull

This young herring gull seemed unconcerned as it stood on one of the outdoor tables of a cafe on Exeter Quay even though customers were having a drink a couple of feet away at the next table. Possibly it was at the best vantage point for pouncing after scraps.

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Claverley Brook in a wood

Claverley brook in a wood

The Claverley Brook flowing through a wooded area as it heads towards Hilton in Shropshire. Pleasant rolling countryside, smoothed by the glaciers and meltwaters of the last Ice Age.

Claverley brook in a wood

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Cross-billed jackdaw, #northycote

Cross-billed jackdaw, Northycote Farm

Northycote Farm jackdaw with an abnormally narrow and twisted beak, which must make feeding difficult for the bird. It has nevertheless survived the winter and looks otherwise healthy – a sign of the rich pickings available there.

Cross-billed jackdaw, Northycote Farm

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Stafford windmill from Doxey marshes

Stafford windmill from Doxey marshes

View showing just how close Doxey Marshes are to Stafford’s centre. I was standing in the marshes when I took this picture. The windmill is a well-known landmark on the edge of the built-up area of the city centre, separated from the edge of the marshes only by the road with street lights peeping above the bushes here.

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Gulls perching on tree

Gulls perching

Until recently, I had never noticed gulls resting on the top branches of trees, either inland or by the seaside. In the past month or so I’ve seen black-headed gulls in several places doing it.

These were by the River Avon at Stratford.

Gulls perching

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Exe 2015: Exe estuary with old wreck

Exe estuary with old wreck

Views across the Exe estuary from Topsham. The larger wreck by the far bank has been gradually disintegrating for years.

The building in the background of the first picture is the former lock cottage on the Exeter Canal, now used for self-catering holiday accommodation.

Exe estuary with old wreck

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Garrya catkins

Garrya catkins

The long dangling flowers of a Garrya elliptica (silk tassel) bush. The plant originally came from the far west of America.

Garrya catkins