CloseEyeOnFebruary

Receding snow clings to the surface of one of last season's Teasel seedheads.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 14:37:46 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Receding snow clings to the surface of one of last season's Teasel seedheads.

A wintry moody sky is a common backdrop along the Crane in February.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 12:33:58 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A wintry moody sky is a common backdrop along the Crane in February.

The Robin is one of the first birds to sing at dawn this month. Winter migrants boost the Crane population of this familiar species.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 13:15:24 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The Robin is one of the first birds to sing at dawn this month. Winter migrants boost the Crane population of this familiar species.

A patch of morning sunshine briefly illuminates hundreds of emerging buds on this aged Ash.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 12:33:57 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A patch of morning sunshine briefly illuminates hundreds of emerging buds on this aged Ash.

A freshly emerged Goat Willow catkin radiates afternoon warmth during what is normally the coldest month along the Crane.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 12:58:01 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A freshly emerged Goat Willow catkin radiates afternoon warmth during what is normally the coldest month along the Crane.

Bulbs often emerge from the ground in February, but the blooms are at least another month away.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 12:58:01 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Bulbs often emerge from the ground in February, but the blooms are at least another month away.

These well developed bracket fungi are so entrenched on the bark of a mature tree in Crane Park that is hard to see where the bark ends and the fungi begin.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 12:58:02 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
These well developed bracket fungi are so entrenched on the bark of a mature tree in Crane Park that is hard to see where the bark ends and the fungi begin.

The February dripping catkins of Alder are now open and conspicuous along the generally leafless Crane. The long yellow male catkins are obvious but a closer look is needed to see the short ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:20:12 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The February dripping catkins of Alder are now open and conspicuous along the generally leafless Crane. The long yellow male catkins are obvious but a closer look is needed to see the short ...

With very little greenery on show this early in the season, much of the colour along the Crane comes from less obvious sources. This small garden of lichen brightens up a fork in a branch.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:20:13 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
With very little greenery on show this early in the season, much of the colour along the Crane comes from less obvious sources. This small garden of lichen brightens up a fork in a branch.

Many of the mature Crack Willows along the banks of the Crane have twisted themselves into fascinating tangles following the snapping off of older branches and the thrust of newer shoots tow ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:20:13 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Many of the mature Crack Willows along the banks of the Crane have twisted themselves into fascinating tangles following the snapping off of older branches and the thrust of newer shoots tow ...

The lime colour that highlights the shapely outer bark of a mature Horse Chestnut is probably due to a type of algae.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:20:17 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The lime colour that highlights the shapely outer bark of a mature Horse Chestnut is probably due to a type of algae.

In late February the mixing seasons are often caught in turmoil. This Woodpigeon, one of the commonest wintering bird species in Crane Park, was feeding on early blossom when a sudden unexpe ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 13:15:25 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
In late February the mixing seasons are often caught in turmoil. This Woodpigeon, one of the commonest wintering bird species in Crane Park, was feeding on early blossom when a sudden unexpe ...

February is most definitely a month of buds along the Crane, waiting in anticipation for an end to the coldest days.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:20:15 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
February is most definitely a month of buds along the Crane, waiting in anticipation for an end to the coldest days.

Fresh leaves present a perfectly formed plant in miniature, as the new growth of this Elder embraces the longer hours of daylight.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:20:16 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Fresh leaves present a perfectly formed plant in miniature, as the new growth of this Elder embraces the longer hours of daylight.

Ring-necked Parakeets have just plucked these fresh Horse Chestnut buds from a tree along the Crane, wastefully discarding as they took to flight.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:20:17 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Ring-necked Parakeets have just plucked these fresh Horse Chestnut buds from a tree along the Crane, wastefully discarding as they took to flight.

The buds of early spring sometimes present the strangest of sculptures, with familiar plants taking on unusual form. This sword-shaped bud belongs to the Wayfaring Tree.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:35:32 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The buds of early spring sometimes present the strangest of sculptures, with familiar plants taking on unusual form. This sword-shaped bud belongs to the Wayfaring Tree.

Bulrush shafts burst open on a sunny February afternoon and cast their airy seeds to the fortunes of the gentle winter breeze.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:57:59 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Bulrush shafts burst open on a sunny February afternoon and cast their airy seeds to the fortunes of the gentle winter breeze.

More buds of February along the Crane. Within weeks this unidentified plant will be much more recognisable!

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:35:33 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
More buds of February along the Crane. Within weeks this unidentified plant will be much more recognisable!

This could be an aerial view of an ancient wilderness landscape, but is in fact the distinctive bark of Silver Birch, which is relatively uncommon along the length of the Crane.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:35:35 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
This could be an aerial view of an ancient wilderness landscape, but is in fact the distinctive bark of Silver Birch, which is relatively uncommon along the length of the Crane.

February is probably the busiest month for bird visitors to gardens along the Crane. Blue Tits are one of the most common species, often arriving in raiding parties of between two and six, a ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 13:15:24 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
February is probably the busiest month for bird visitors to gardens along the Crane. Blue Tits are one of the most common species, often arriving in raiding parties of between two and six, a ...

The winter leaf litter has depleted by late February, withdrawing around the colourful root bases of this Crane Park Oak.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:35:34 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The winter leaf litter has depleted by late February, withdrawing around the colourful root bases of this Crane Park Oak.

The tangled web of the Crane Park Island undergrowth is exposed in February as a knot of buds and thorns.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:35:34 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The tangled web of the Crane Park Island undergrowth is exposed in February as a knot of buds and thorns.

Fallen trees contribute enormously to the terrestrial ecosystem. In February this decaying trunk is stark bare, revealing graceful curves around the knot of an old branch.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:35:32 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Fallen trees contribute enormously to the terrestrial ecosystem. In February this decaying trunk is stark bare, revealing graceful curves around the knot of an old branch.

More buds, this time of Blackthorn. This will be one of the first shrubs to blossom in the coming weeks, spiritedly heralding the new season.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:35:35 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
More buds, this time of Blackthorn. This will be one of the first shrubs to blossom in the coming weeks, spiritedly heralding the new season.

This magnificent toffee bud of Sweet Chestnut glistens on a February afternoon.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:35:36 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
This magnificent toffee bud of Sweet Chestnut glistens on a February afternoon.

A light dusting of snow turns Crane Park briefly back into winterland, but the snow rarely stays more than a day.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 01:09:36 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A light dusting of snow turns Crane Park briefly back into winterland, but the snow rarely stays more than a day.

Rapidly thawing snow congeals and steadily drips off the vegetation near Marsh Farm Lane.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 01:10:13 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Rapidly thawing snow congeals and steadily drips off the vegetation near Marsh Farm Lane.

Melting snow reveals the tracks of Woodpigeons, searching for scraps of food beneath the white blanket.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 01:10:40 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Melting snow reveals the tracks of Woodpigeons, searching for scraps of food beneath the white blanket.

Rising river levels force a Water Vole to dig a fresh burrow entrance on Crane Park Island.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 13:38:04 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Rising river levels force a Water Vole to dig a fresh burrow entrance on Crane Park Island.

Sunny February afternoon bring early bumblebee queens out to visit the first blossoms of the new season.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:57:29 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Sunny February afternoon bring early bumblebee queens out to visit the first blossoms of the new season.

A colourful carpet of moss engulfs a tree stump on Crane Park Island.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 13:38:52 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A colourful carpet of moss engulfs a tree stump on Crane Park Island.

The distinctive tracks of Moorhen crosscross a muddy pool.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 13:38:58 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The distinctive tracks of Moorhen crosscross a muddy pool.

Cherry trees in Kneller Gardens burst into blossom in February, defying the temperature in their signpost to spring.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:11:21 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Cherry trees in Kneller Gardens burst into blossom in February, defying the temperature in their signpost to spring.

Dunnocks are at their most visible in February as they rise to songperches to declare territories for the coming breeding season.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:11:33 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Dunnocks are at their most visible in February as they rise to songperches to declare territories for the coming breeding season.

Frozen dew frosts the petals of early Wild Plum blossom in the Marsh Farm Triangle.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:09:20 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Frozen dew frosts the petals of early Wild Plum blossom in the Marsh Farm Triangle.