Tag: beutiful

June 27th – Another beautiful weed is the thistle. There seems to be a very large variety of these spiny, prehistoric looking plants, and their strains seem endlessly complex – but whether a light mauve like these at Shire Oak Hill or a pink or deep, deep purple, they are all gorgeous and fascinating, particularly in the hostel-looking buds.

December 4th – A bitterly cold day, but it was sunny and bright and I felt Cannock Chase calling me – so I wrapped up warm and went for it.

On the way, checking out the condition of the rosy earthstar fungus at Clayhanger Common, I passed this juvenile swan on the canal between the Pier Street and Catshill Junction bridges. This is very probably one of the large brood hatched here in the summer, which have mostly now migrated into the large flocks at Chasewater and Stubbers Green where they regularly get fed.

Still in juvenile plumage, this was a large, healthy bird, clearly used to admirers as it approached me eagerly chattering for food, yet drifted away when the realisation that I was empty handed dawned.

I’ve not seen many swans on the local canal recently, so this was a pleasant change…

February 17th – In Kings Hill Park, two firsts for the year; my first snowdrops and crocuses. The snowdrops seem very few and far between this year, and those around seem small and spindly. Can’t be their year. No such issues with the crocuses.

I think this spring idea might just work. The seasons wheel moves on another tooth. Bring it on.

June 30th – I guess we’re halfway through the year now, and in high summer. It certainly seemed like it as I cycled home along the canal this evening – the greenery, the light, the still, clear water. The peace.

It also occurred to me that after 6 moths of opening out, we’re now closing in again, but summer will hopefully be around for another 10 weeks or so yet.

It doesn’t seem ten minutes ago since I was wrapping up warm and wondering if I needed to change to winter tyres.

Where has this year gone?