August 29th – A late rove around Brownhills and I just missed the sunset, and there are sadly few decent places to catch it in the town without going to Chasewater. I got as far as the Chase Road Bridge, then realised I wasn’t going to make it and looped back to Brownhills.
It was a gorgeous evening with great skies, and considering how windy the day had been, it was very still.
August 27th – It was a clear, bright moonlit night and I had an errand to run so I blasted down the canal and looped around Brownhills. I’m really getting used to the Nikon now, and I enjoyed taking these pictures immensely.
The camera has odd foibles, but it’s a great little thing for sure.
I was amused to note the boat – complete with cushions and electric motor – tethered near the Anchor, clearly someone’s beer buggy of choice. Most excellent.
August 27th – Returning to Brownhills that evening, I stopped to look at these shrubs growing by the Pier Street bridge on the towpath. I’ve been peripherally aware of them for ages, but not studied them before.
I have no idea what they are, and the blooms – now mostly over – seem almost prehistoric.
I’ve never noticed this before and am curious as to what it is. I’ve not seen it anywhere else locally and it appears to be thriving. Is it a garden escapee?
August 25th – Although it was a grey, miserable morning, the canal near Bentley Bridge still looked awesome. It’s still very lush and green, in spite of the merciless mowing of the towpath. Today I noted snowberries were coming on to fruit, and the ragwort is still going well.
A little brightness is always nice on dull days. The kingfishers remain elusive…
August 24th – Fruits of all kinds from berries, to nuts to pears. All in a short section of canal from Clayhanger to Brownhills on a dull, airless journey home. Nature is bountiful at the moment, and I was pleased to find the untouched windfall hazels, as here don’t seem to be many around this year. I note also the pears did quite well at Clayhanger, and the blackberries are delivering a huge crop this year.
It’s feeling a lot like autumn now.
August 22nd – A day of unexpected jobs and delayed activity, I finally got out at dusk and span on an errand to Burntwood, so naturally, despite the oncoming storm, I headed up through Chasewater.
The skies were dramatic, but I failed to capture them well, and whilst there were flashes of lightning and the odd rumble of thunder, despite riding back in steady, warm, refreshing rain, the foreboding, brooding skies failed to deliver.
But it was actually a lovely ride.
August 20th – had o nip on an errand, and left during daylight, and returned at dusk. On both outward and return, I crossed the old cement works bridge.
I took a photo towards Pelsall on my way out, and a photo towards Brownhills on my way back.
I don’t know why, but I’m fascinated by the change in light and atmosphere.
August 20th – Much as I hate the current fad for obsessively mowing the canal towpaths, I quite like that they seem to be leaving the reed beds alone for now (although I don’t doubt they’ll be next).
Here near the Pelsall Road in Brownhills, they are little oases of disparate species, havens for insects and other wildlife.
And they just look really, really good.
Do we have to keep cutting everything back? Put the mowers away!
August 19 – Some folk, of course, don’t even notice the rain and carry on regardless. After all, when you live on the water, what difference does a drop more make?
This cygnet – one of the Watermead family, still apparently in rude health – was just getting some greens as I splashed past near Silver Street.
I love the way these shoots are constantly cropped by the swans – it’s like their own little grazing patch.
August 18th – I was on the lookout for kingfishers – I’d seen a couple flying down the canal this week, and one tantalisingly perched, who scarpered quickly when my camera beeped as it switched on. Today though, in Pleck, I was having no luck.
Then I spotted why.
A patch of white was twitching and moving in the long grass on the far side of the canal – and on closer inspection turned out to be a tabby and white puss with a remarkable tail engaged in stalking something.
I don’t know what was holding the cat in such rapt attention, but it didn’t even turn to look at me when called.
My search for a good kingfisher photo opportunity continues…
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 