Tall trees just outside the grounds of Holy Trinity church, Stratford on Avon, with lots of bunches of mistletoe growing on the high branches. From a distance, the combination of the evergreen leaves and the white berries of the mistletoe give it a “golden” appearance, contrasting with the dark tones of the bare branches of the host trees.
A kingfisher poised on a branch over a side arm of the Avon at Stratford, before flying off (in my direction). Shaky pictures because the hand I was using to hold the camera was on the same arm as my crutch.
For many other bird species, pictures like these would be struggling even to rate as record shots. The kingfisher’s colours are so strong and distinctive, there can be no doubt about it.
There were actually two birds present, though I only saw this one.
The view looking downstream the Avon from the chain ferry landing towards Holy Trinity church on a sunny winter lunchtime, with swans and gulls swimming on the water.
The chain ferry is out of sight, moored up in its bay while it’s out of action for the winter. It’s one of the last ferries in the country – perhaps the very last – to use this mode of propulsion.
The recently established local nature reserve in Stratford on Avon on a frosty morning early this month. The profusion of lichens on the bare branches of the trees shows the low pollution levels prevailing, while the light covering of ice crystals draw attention to the lichens.
The frosty lawn in Stratford on Avon with a group of redwings searching for food must have been quite productive. On the far side of the same lawn, a pair of magpies were busy on the same task. The pictures are all of the one which was somewhat closer to me.
Blushing bracket fungi are quite common growing on dead or dying trees, especially willows. They cause white rot, so will have contributed to the state of the trees. Potentially visible all year round: the fruiting bodies are woody and long lasting. But probably most likely to be noticed in winter. The “blushing” refers to the reddening which sometimes affects areas of the surface.
Growing on a (dead) tree beside the Stratford on Avon footpath known as Anglers Walk, which heads upstream by the river in an area which has recently been developed as a local nature reserve. Blushing bracket fruiting bodies have been growing on the tree for several years.