Wolves Wild

Some of the bright yellow pollen from this crocus had fallen onto the floor of the flower.

Watercress growing in a small stream at Berkwsell.

The stream’s source is the well which gives the village its name.

Snowdrops reflected in the canal near Castlecroft.

There are no other snowdrops nearby – I presume these must have been planted or escaped from the garden of one of the houses there.

An impressive old oak, seen from a quiet lane connecting Berkswell railway station to the village.

The Gorge is a steep-sided “valley” left by one-time limestone quarrying. It’s right on the Sedgley border.

The lime-rich soil means the site supports some rare and interesting plants. It is Wolverhampton City Council property, but partly because of the fragile ecology, access is limited.

Thanks to Chris for the guided tour.

The well which gives the village of Berkswell in Solihull its name.

Right by the church, it’s likely to have been a holy well.

Daffodils, with flower buds which hadn’t yet opened, by a roadside near Berkswell.

Snowdrops were in fine flower at Berkswell last weekend. These were by the roadside.

And one of the many patches in the churchyard.

Leaf buds on one of the beech trees in the woods at Northycote.

This is, so far as I know, the only mistletoe growing in Wolverhampton. It’s in a side street off Finchfield hill.

Wintry view of a channel carrying excess water from the canal to the Smestow near Wightwick. This snowy scene was in late January.

The old tollhouse which used to collect the dues from boats leaving the Staffs & Worcs Canal to head north on the Shropshire Union at Autherley Junction.

Looking down the first stretch of the Shropshire Union from the bridge crossed by the other canal’s towpath.