Tag: Park Hall

#365daysofbiking An unexpected flash of orange



August 21st – Returning from Birmingham, the train unexpectedly terminated at Tame Bridge due to a line fault or something, maybe the elastic band snapped.

I couldn’t be bothered with the ride home up through Walsall so hopped on the Tame Valley Canal and then home via Rushall Junction, Park Hall and Aldridge.

Passing through a nondescript bit of towpath near the Birmingham Road, a flash of bright, vivid orange caught my eye.

A gorgeous par of feral marigolds, just trying to make me happy.

They succeeded in their aim.

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#365daysofbiking Dem feet tho


July 5th – Riding through Aldridge on the canal down through Longwood and Park Hall, the water life was busy and the canal limpid and green.

What interested me most were the water birds: I was once again reminded how very odd swan feet are – by a cygnet in this case – it’s foot tucked up on it’s back in rest position. They odd leathery texture – and those claws!

There was a gorgeously aloof, elderly heron too – who was active and looked in good health, except when he walked off I noticed a curious growth on his foot.

It wasn’t affecting his walk at all and he didn’t seem to bother him at all. I found myself wondering if it was some kind of ganglion like humans get.

Strange.

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December 28th – Where the cycle route NCN 5 leaves the canal at Yew Tree, just north of Rushall Junction, the path is dark and unlit – so a solution has been found.

There are little white LED solar cats eyes marking the centre of the trail in the darkness. They’re really effective.

What a clever idea…

19th March – On the Walsall Canal at Park Hall, having left work early in the afternoon to head to Birmingham in the decent weather, I come upon a small, kitchen sink drama. 

Young cat fancies it’s paw at a little waterfowl: maybe mallard, or even Canada goose. The concentration is huge… the tension… then the cyclist spoils it.

Of course, the birds knew the cat was there. But puss’s ambition was impressive.

April 6th – Back on the canal at Rushall Junction, going up the Rushall Extension through Park Hall, the wildlife seems to be about again. I think this is my first heron photo this year, and he was a bit jumpy, to be frank. There don’t seem to be many of these about on the canals right now. The other little chap is the deceptively named Grey Wagtail, who seemed to be engaged in courting behaviour. A charming little bird, he bobbed about for a while utterly unconcerned by the cyclist looking on, fascinated.

August 26th – It’s been a while since I did a gratuitous heron post. Followers of this journal will know that I adore herons in all their dishevelled, scatterbrain glory. I find them comical, beautiful and fascinating. Yesterday, I saw five, mostly around Aldridge and Park Hall. Delightful birds, including the juvenile, which I suspect is the same one recently observed by top wildlife togger Zksby.

A poster on my main blog recently claimed that you couldn’t get close enough to a heron to throw stones at one – a practice I’ve sadly seen some anglers involved in – which must be evidence of an ingrained fear of fishermen at work. I was within a few meters of all of these fine specimens.

August 26th – Depressingly for me, Autumn is clearly now upon us. Elderberries are darkening and the scrubs and hedgerows are thick with them, leaves are turning and haws, conkers, rose hips and acorns are all ripening. Ryecroft cemetery looked particularly autumnal, as did Park Hall. I always find this bank holiday depressing, although soon I will get into the swing and beauty of the season, I always feel like summer is over on this last long weekend.