Wolves Wild

Not one of the most elegant of duck species. This individual and its mate seemed keen to use a notice board as a look-out post.

A couple more examples of puffball species.

The white body feathers of these pochards are covered in a series of darker squiggles, called vermiculations to mark their supposed resemblance to worms.

These non-flowering plants are often inconspicuous green patches with small leaves.

The commonest wild duck. Males, as here, are richly coloured.

When free of frost, this waxcap was bright yellow (see below). Probably the butter waxcap, but several others are also yellow.

More catkins – this time from an alder.

A bit late for Christmas, but this robin was strutting over the frosty ground yesterday.

On the rare occasions moorhens can be clearly seen on dry land, their feet look disproportionately large.

The subtle greens of these parrot waxcaps here decorated by the frost.

Yet another of the reasonably common species of inkcaps.

This late ivy flower was highlighted bu the first frost at the start of the month.