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Family of swans, Birmingham canal

Family of swans, Birmingham canal

This family of swans include a second adult which wouldn’t line up to get in the same shot of the others, as well as the three well-grown young seen below. They have a large territory heading out towards the junction with the Bradley arm of the canal.

Family of swans, Birmingham canal

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Duck and ducklings, Birmingham canal

Duck and ducklings, Birmingham canal

Todays post feature water birds seen on a stroll along the towpath of the Birmingham canal, heading from the city centre in the direction of Birmingham, a couple of weeks ago.

Duck and ducklings, Birmingham canal

This duck and her two ducklings were in a gap in the wall above the canal a few yards from Bilston Road.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davea2007/6095391363

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Bagot goats at Shugborough

Bagot goat, Shugborough Park

One of the historic breeds farm animals at Shugborough Park. If these are indeed Bagot goats, they are descended from the semi-wild herd of Blithfield Hall, on the opposite side of Cannock Chase, and be of a critically endangered rare breed.

The billy is relaxing above, and the kid, below, is eating with a jackdaw seeming to mimic its actions.

Goat kid with jackdaw, Shugborough Park

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Water peppermint

Water peppermint with a flower

This clump had just a couple of flowers remaining when I saw it growing at the edge of the river Anker in Tamworth in the middle of August.

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Yew berries just beginning to ripen

Yew berries just beginning to ripen

At first the kernels of the berries are green and the outer covers are a paler green, and cover less than half the kernel. To me, they look more like miniature acorns at this stage.

Yew berries just beginning to ripen

As the berry ripens, the kernel swells. The covering layer begins to redden and to advance down the kernel.

Yew berries just beginning to ripen

Riper = yet redder cover with yet more complete coverage.

Yew berries just beginning to ripen

Varying degrees of ripeness in berries which are almost touching. Perhaps it was the time of day I was there, but there seemed to be a direct effect that the berries in the sunniest spots had come furthest along.

Yew berries just beginning to ripen

These pictures all taken within a few minutes, of berries on the same yew tree in West Park.

Yew berries just beginning to ripen

Yew berries just beginning to ripen

Hat tip: Jefny.

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Family of swans in a convoy

Family of swans in convoy

This family of swans were on the river Anker in the Castle Pleasure Grounds, Tamworth.

Family of swans in convoy

I think it was the cob (male bird) leading with an aggressive posture, and the pen as tail-end charlie.

Family of swans in convoy

As the swans swam downstream, several passers-by got out their mobiles to take pictures.

Family of swans in convoy