Wolves Wild

Young heron, down to the water of West Park boating lake to drink some water then, when it had finished, back on the island.

Henley Street, Stratford on Avon, always busy with groups of visitors heading for Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Right by that tourist mecca, three pied wagtails, perching on the roof of the Public Library next door, then swooping down to search for mid-winter insects in the brickwork of the pedestrianised street.

The pale flowers of a Christmas rose, and growing nearby, other, greener hellebores.

Extra large verdigris mushrooms on the island in the middle of Paget Road recently. They must have been out for some days before I noticed them – the green colour which gives them their name was almost completely washed away. Growing on, and possibly imported with, wood chip mulch.

Most people who take a walk along the Avon at Stratford head downstream from the tramway bridge or beyond. Very pleasant. It’s not as easy to find, but there’s also a path going in upstream from Clopton Bridge. Try to ignore the sounds of the often heavy traffic on the Warwick and Tiddington Roads, and the big houses on the latter with their lawns sweeping down to the opposite bank of the river. Then it is just a couple of minutes’ walk to a peaceful rural scene.

The West Park Egyptian goose standing with its tail towards me as it carefully preened, giving clear views of the rich colours and complex patterns of its plumage.