Small bracket fungus growing on a fallen branch by the Railway Walk at Newbridge. The green surface colour had formed a more complete cover on a previous visit.
Scarlet elf cups, Newbridge, revisit on a frosty morning
These small, bright fungi grow on dead wood, with the fruiting bodies appearing in the middle of winter.
A small pile of fallen wood at the side of the Railway Walk at Newbridge has supported some for several years now. In recent years the number of cups has been falling. Possibly the nutrient in the wood is being exhausted.
Floating feather, canal, Compton
A single feather (from a mallard?) floating in the canal at Compton, showing its water-repellant qualities.
Shoveller dining party, West Park
Twenty plus shovellers on the boating lake at West Park, about two thirds of them drakes. Just a few stragglers off on their own. Most of the birds were feeding in two nearby groups, swimming round in tight circles, beaks under the water, shovelling for food.
Views, West Park, snowy morning
View over a partially-frozen boating lake to the West Park Conservatory, a thin layer of snow still on the ground in the morning after falling overnight. The picture of the bandstand was taken from just a few yards further away – it has been enhanced, using cloning to cover up the edges of a manhole in the foreground.
Park bench snack – magpies, West Park
Pair of magpies snacking on grain someone had put out on one of the lakeside benches in West Park. They carried on eating when a female mallard came along to take a share.