Wolves Wild

Daniels Mill, a restored water mill on a small brook which joins the Severn just downstream of Bridgnorth.

In the background a viaduct carries the Severn Valley Railway across the valley of the stream which powers the mill.

Sunlight coming from behind and at an angle, delicately backlighting the seed heads left from last year’s teazels.

Pair of goosanders in the river just a little way from the large gathering of water birds at the tip of Bridgnorth’s bylet (the small island in the Severn near the bridge).

Cherries prduce their blossom earlier than most other flowering trees – a sign that winter is finally giving way to spring.

Mallard drake sitting at the edge of the Birmingham Canal, totally undisturbed by my presence. Seemed to be posing for a portrait.

Blackbirds often end up with bits of soil left on their beaks after they have been probing the ground for food. This male was on marshy ground near Sarehole Mill.

One of my favourite fungi, scarlet elf cups bring a splash of bright colour to winter and early spring. These were growing by a footpath along the river bank of the Severn near Bridgnorth.

Curlew searching for food in the shallow water left in the intertidal zone in front of the hide at Dawlish Warren.

Tree peony flower bud – there are always things worth seeing in the front gardens of Bridgnorth’s East Castle Street.

Otter swimming, hunting fish, in the River Severn in daylight.

Less than a mile downstream from Low Town, Bridgnorth.

The otter was swimming upstream. When it was on the surface it was marking position. It frequently dived, emerging a few yards upstream each time, usually with a fish in its mouth.

I watched it for about twenty minutes. In that time it had progressed perhaps thirty yards upstream. It was still there when I left because I was beginning to get cold.

River Severn otter eating some of the fish it had caught while I was watching.

Occasionally, after it had finished eating one, it would turn its head to look in my direction and appear to grin.

Lots of the pictures I took of the Severn otter captured it in the process of diving. Some showed an arched back, some a muscular tail in a plume of foam, and some just a ring of disturbed water.