August 29th – My apologies to the toad-phobics, but I had to share this wee fellow. He looks bloody angry and he had a right to be: I was a shade from running him over in the dark on the towpath near Pelsall Road, but a last minute swerve just missed him.
I picked him up and popped him in the grass, annoying him further.
In true laissez-faire toad fashion, he never moved a millimetre on his own.
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…
August 16th – I spotted him near the Marina at Northwood Bridge in Aldridge. Clearly en repose, hunting seemed to be done for the day and this elderly heron was content to let me take photos without being disturbed.
There’s definitely an Eddie Cochran thing going on there. You don’t see much of that sort of thing in the local avian community, to be honest.
August 10th – I know I shouldn’t, but I love anthropomorphising animals. Herons in particular remind me of eccentric old men, stood loafing, slightly absent mindedly fixing you with a gimlet eye.
This one was in Pleck, right at the back of the factories, stood on an overhanging bough, looking for breakfast. I love the expressiveness of his eyes.
Later, at James Bridge, the aggressive beggars – honking at me for food, hissing and swimming away in disgust when I presented them with no tasty morsel.
I honestly think to local wildlife is becoming more outspoken and opinionated.
July 11th – Everyone needs a hobby.
I fancy something even more radical, like rural bitching.
July 1st – The Pleck swans were cool in the heat this morning, although dad didn’t seem to be around. The youngsters are growing at a rate now.
Dem feet tho. That doesn’t look comfortable, but it must be. Always amused by it.
June 14th – I was heading out to Newchurch, to check out the elegant spire I saw across the valley on last week’s ride, but this wee cat, on a garden fishing platform caught my eye at Catshill.
Such determination, but it can’t reach the water without falling in…
June 6th – I see around the ICC and NIA we now have these stencils on the towpaths. A great idea. I’m all for sharing.
Shame the geese can’t read, though. It takes two…
May 10th – Just in the Walsall Wood border country, a new leisure centre is being built at Oak Park, on the playing field of the earlier 1970s one.
In the middle of a huge building site, I realise that now the election is over, that must be what they did with Ed Miliband’s block of stone.
Curious, but nice to know it’s not going to waste…
May 5th – In case you haven’t noticed, there’s an election on. I’ve avoided mentioning it much this time, as there’s little to be said that isn’t being mentioned elsewhere, and the whole thing seems a bit of a crap shoot.
However, I couldn’t let this pass without comment. In Walsall, there is a voluntary ban on posters on council property at election time, which is being semi-sidestepped by landlords allowing banners to be erected on their properties. Sadly, all the ones I’ve spotted for the Conservatives in Walsall South are on derelict or unused buildings, which really promotes the booming, prosperous image the party must crave.
The local council candidate in Darlaston South standing for the Tories doesn’t even name his party – surely he can’t be avoiding mentioning it, can he?
This is the oddest election season I’ve ever witnessed.
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