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David

Mid-March frosts

Frosted bramble

Frosts in the middle of March leaving rime-covered leaves in the morning. A multi-coloured bramble leaf still on the bush from last year.

Cold comfrey

Comfrey lying close to the ground.

Cool grasses

Section of a grassy bank making an almost abstract image.

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David

Little grebe with a fish, Compton

Little grebe with a fish, Compton

One of the pair of little grebes in the previous post has just dived and caught a fish.

Little grebe with a fish, Compton

Moves it around in its beak to get a better grip.

Little grebe with a fish, Compton

The fish are shaken before eating.

Little grebe with a fish, Compton

The next dive, and another catch.

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David

Pair of little grebes, Compton

Pair of little grebes, Compton

A pair of little grebes in breeding plumage just downstream of Compton Lock.

Dabchicks normally overwinter on the canal, but head off elsewhere to breed, going before they are in breeding plumage. This year, at least five or six have stuck around in the stretch of canal between Aldersley and Wightwick.

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David

Ear fungus, Wightwick

Ear fungus, Wightwick

An ear fungus by the canal towpath at Wightwick, growing on its preferred host, an elder.

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David

March snow: West Park snowman

March snow: West Park snowman

Snowman with leaves for eyes in West Park yesterday.

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David

Violet opening, Castlecroft

Violet opening, Castlecroft

One of the violets growing on a bank by the canal towpath, along with lesser celandines as featured in the previous post.

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David

Lesser celandine beginning to open

Lesser celandine beginning to open

This lesser celandine flower wasn’t quite ready to open even on one of the sunniest days recently.

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David

Canal scene, March 2013

Canal scene, March 2013

A view when walking to the location of the next two posts. A peaceful scene barely disturbed by the distant rumble of traffic on the Bridgnorth road.

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David

Magnolia flower bud, Bantock Park

Magnolia flower bud

Furry flower bud of a magnolia in Bantock Park. I couldn’t decide which picture I preferred.

Magnolia flower bud

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David

Gull trying to eat a catkin

Gull trying to eat a catkin

A black-headed gull standing on the frozen surface of the lake at West Park. It seems to be trying to eat a catkin which has been blown on the ice.

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David

Female blackbird, Bantock Park

Female blackbird, Bantock Park

A female blackbird on the ground at Bantock Park. Her beak is muddy because she has been probing the soil for food.

Female blackbird, Bantock Park

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David

Lichen on a post, Bantock Park

Lichen on a post, Bantock Park

Lichen growing on one of the sturdy posts for supporting the roses at Bantock Park.