One of the West Park magpies, systematically delving away at a small patch of exposed earth in West Park a few days ago, probably in search of something to vary its diet.
First crocusses, Bantock Park, 2018
The first clump of crocusses to come into flower under the trees in Bantock Park this year, in the last week of January.
Heron gathering twigs, West Park
Young heron on the shore of boating lake island, West Park, gathering twigs on a cold January morning. If it was gathering material for building a nest, it was doing so when no other herons were visible in the area.
A couple of years ago a pair of young but mature herons did have a nest on the opposite side of the same island, where they raised a chick.
Air bubble, frozen puddle
Puddle frozen after a cold night. The paler area running across the middle is where a large bubble of air has been trapped under the ice.
Artist’s palette fungus, glistening
Artist’s palette fungus low down on a tree trunk. Its surface was glsitening, covered with water from the overnight frost which had recenly melted in the morning sun.
Thistle, heavily frosted
Thistle on a cold morning, covered in heavy frost which the sun had not yet melted.