Sunday Sandwell Valley

So got up this morning and as it got lighter saw the clouds and the results of last nights rain on the street out side. After a cup of coffee I could see it slowly brightening up and the weather improve from there. OK it was still breezy but on the whole, the sun was out this morning, so I went out to Sandwell Valley. I started at Forge Mill Farm side and walked clock wise around the Forge Mill lake.

The River Tame was the highest I had seen it for some time, I suppose last nights rain on top of the recent downpours has all added in. This gave me the opportunity to get watch the gulls feeding on the river and as the came past I got a couple of pictures including this one of a black headed gull.

I am quite pleased with this and the more I look at it the better I think it is.

I carried on walking, I think the pedometer in my ipod has become my main incentive for going for walks and taking my camera. Beating last weeks record is a major personal incentive. I somehow still constantly fail to achieve 10,000 steps a day but I would like to think I am getting closer.

So what else was in Sandwell valley. I think over the last few weeks it has been possible to to see Winter finally arriving, there are few if any leaves on the deciduous trees.

I saw this and tree with a few of its leaves still holding firm and wondered how long they would keep holding on. There is little if any green left in them with orange and brown being the predominant colours. It is one of those end of year pictures, I like it anyway

Further on around past the RSPB centre just as they were opening up for the day, and then down to the top of forge Mill lake. This is one place I have stood and watch the lake and the birds many times in lots of weathers. It always reminds me of the time I spent recuperating after having my appendix removed in 2004. Once I could drive I tried to go for a walk to here everyday to keep myself moving and to try and use the "free time " I had. so this was where I used to come and take pictures of the gulls and other birds that hung around then as now.

In addition to the birds today, I was able to get a picture of today's teasel. ( Click on the link to get much more about this wonderful biennial) They have all dried out and you can see why these heads were used to raise the nap of fabric. (is this the origin of the tease)

So what next, I saw Gadwall on the lake, I know they have bred here in the past though I don't know about this year. I remember Gadwall from my childhood and reading Thorburn's Birds. Gadwall shared a plate with the Garganey, and none of my siblings had seen either one. I have over the last 5 years seen both at Sandwell Valley


This was not one of my better pictures but it has at least one the subjects in it.

Onwards back towards the car. I went passed the bridge and the sheer amount of water trying to get through had raised levels considerable. I was able to take some shots of the speeding water and get a few good shots.

Anyway there are some more things to look out for tomorrow. I will have a look at more of today's pic and see if I can use any more and what I take tomorrow.

Goodnight