Looking down at the view over the Smestow Valley Nature Reserve’s Barley Field on a frosty morning recently. The low ground marks the valley of the Graiseley Brook, culverted and hidden underground, shortly to emerge to add its waters to the Smestow after passing under the canal.
Yet another series of pictures of the Egyptian goose with an on / off presence at West Park. Here it was holding its wings slightly raised, occasionally making a brief move to preen a few feathers.
Two lichens, one yellow-green and the other blue-green. growing in abundance on adjacent twigs.
Two crab apples remaining on the same tree in mid-winter: one appearing still pristine, the other reduced to remnants of flesh, the rest presumably pecked away.
Mushrooms, species unidentified, which seemed to be growing on wood chip mulch. The rims of the caps were strongly upturned, bringing the gills into view.
Coal fungus – also known as cramp balls and as King Alfred’s cakes – a common fungus found on dead or dying decisuous wood. As inedible as they look.
