May 8th – Coming along the canal past Grange Farm in Walsall Wood (just between Black Cock Bridge and Clayhanger Bridge) I noticed the small group of deer in the coppice belt between the towpath and fields. Sheltering from the rain, they hung around and although skittish, allowed me to take photos.
One of the deer (not pictured) appeared to have a nasty sore on her snout, which was sad. They appeared to be healthy otherwise, though.
May 8th – On the canal at Walsall Wood in steady rain, an interesting group of mallard crossbreed ducks, which I think are fed and loosely tended by a household near the water. I notice there’s mallard in there, of course, but also white ducks and the one with the grey/blue bill suggests a ruddy duck is somewhere in that one’s genes.
That’s the thing about ducks, they’ll freely interbreed…
May 2nd – How can grey days be so beautiful? It was awful weather, cold, miserable, wet. But returning to Brownhills near Clayhanger on the canal, the hedgerows were emerald green, blossom was around and forget-me-nots dappled the embankments. Such a delight after so long grey.
Sun would be most welcome, and a bit of warmth; but this ain’t so bad.
May 2nd – I had the camera, this time – although the light was pretty terrible. Heading down Green Lane late afternoon in light rain, I noticed a group of red deer near the brook at the back of Jockey Meadows. I gently approached, and saw there were at least eleven animals, some in moult, some not. They seemed content and relaxed, and tolerated my approach.
That was, until a motorbike came down the lane and spooked them.
A great sight on a grim afternoon not best suited to photography.
April 12th – I didn’t make it home before the storm broke.
There was quite a degree of precipitation. The geese didn’t seem too bothered, though…
April 3rd – It’s Good Friday. You’re going home, mid afternoon. It’s raining, you’re wet and you just want out of here.
The trafic is awful and backing up. It’s time to just go for it and get the hell out.
March 31st – A dreadful day to commute, although you’d never tell from the photos. It was very, very windy all day, with strong gusts that felt very threatening. I cycled to and from work in sun, overcast grey, rain and hail. The weather didn’t stay the same for five minutes. Talk about four seasons in one day.
Still, the young heron by the canal at Clayhanger was an unexpected treat. Hopefully, the wind will die down tomorrow and the weather may settle a little.
March 30th – The delightful spring day evaporated late afternoon, and the wind and rain drove me home.
Oh my days, it was grim. To quote @thestymaster, ‘Wetter than an otter’s pocket.’
Some days, you just count getting home at all as a victory.
February 22nd – The weather was vile. Windy, with rain and snow that moved horizontally, and the bike was acting up too. It wasn’t a great ride, to be honest, and Chasewater was deserted.
I noticed the valves were closed again after being opened last week, without too much effect on the overall water level, which is around 300mm from full.
If we get much more of this weather, the reservoir will be full in no time at all…
February 19th – Snatched quickly whilst stopped at the lights, on the commute home 13 hours later. The ring road in Walsall is almost deserted, and it’s raining. Everything is wet, and colours blend and blur in the night. I’m tired. My eyes are sore from fatigue. But the wind was behind me, it was pleasingly warm, and to see the beauty of the wet, urban kaleidoscope was a minor but tangible joy.
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