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  1. Marsh Woundwort

    Marsh Woundwort

    The canal was a great hunting ground for flowers, another I've never seen before - Marsh Woundwort. I presume it was thought this one helped to heal wounds.
  2. A Welsh Magpie

    A Welsh Magpie

    At the end of my walk, I met my brother and Glenys insisted we extend my excursion by going on a Magpie hunt. She didn't let me down, did she. The reason she was so keen, is that I don't see these at home, they're quite scarce in this part of Scotland. This is the same guy as in yesterday's...
  3. Lords and Ladies

    Lords and Ladies

    A few days later I had a lovely walk heading east this time. My brother and his wife had gone to Abergavenny and were walking back, so I set off to meet them. Lovely weather too..... I spotted this in the hedgerow. I don't know a lot about this plant, except that it is poisonous.
  4. Saturday fun.....

    Saturday fun.....

    .... or Ummm... that looks a long way down A Magpie investigating the canal. He changed his mind about diving in. The strange thing is.... 10 minutes after posting this picture, I got my first ever one in the garden here at home. I've not even seen one in the town - they're quite rare birds in...
  5. Yobs on the prowl

    Yobs on the prowl

    A bit further along and I found two eclipse Mallards, appearing to be looking for mischief!
  6. Water Plantain

    Water Plantain

    Just after the Mallard had swum past, I spotted this pretty white flower grown on the canal bank. I'd no idea what it was, Flower forum to the rescue LOL . I've heard of plantains, but not this one.
  7. Eclipse Male Mallard

    Eclipse Male Mallard

    The walk I did that afternoon, was down to the village, then up the hill to the canal.... not only is it uphill, but there are steep steps to climb up onto the tow path! Mr Mallard came out to congratulate me on completing the worst bit!
  8. Jackdaw

    Jackdaw

    Caught this chap in the middle of the road - good job it's a wee village, I think LOL I decided to try and get a bit fitter after a second hospital admission and walk the other way, down the hill into the village, then uuuup the hill to the canal! I'd only gone a few yards when I got this guy...
  9. Upstream view

    Upstream view

    This was taken look west towards Abergavenny. There really is some lovely scenery around this area.
  10. ... and then there were three

    ... and then there were three

    .... and I don't know how that happened LOL I looked across to the far side of the river and saw there were three Mute Swans under the bank. Where the third one had come from I've not a clue.
  11. Grounded Banded Demoiselle

    Grounded Banded Demoiselle

    I saw a movement and looked down at my feet, and there was one in the grass. He really looked beautiful contrasting against the green.
  12. Mallard

    Mallard

    While we were sitting on the bank just enjoying the view, this little flotilla of Mallards came through.
  13. View from The Bryn

    View from The Bryn

    This is where we were sitting that day. The river gives a big sweep round making a headland of the land in front. Previously I'd been to the land on the far side of the river that was behind this land. This map will show you what I mean, the arrow in the area where I've been before...
  14. Grey Wagtail closer

    Grey Wagtail closer

    ..... but chose to hide behind a weed!!!! And I couldn't move! And he had his back to me. Not fair, is it. The winner of yesterday's quiz was Graham (Macswede) - well done laddieB (: It was, indeed the Sandpiper.
  15. Banded Demoiselle male

    Banded Demoiselle male

    Another picture of my lifer - got three of them in the shot this time!!
  16. Mute Swans

    Mute Swans

    After photographing the demoiselles, I then went to find my brother and his wife... they were watching this pair of swans not far from the bank of the river. Why is it the big birds are close but the wee ones sit way over the other side so I can hardly see them LOL
  17. Banded Demoiselle

    Banded Demoiselle

    A Lifer for me.... and I got lots of pictures of them, so you may get some more to look at;) After I'd take the picture of the view I showed you yesterday, I looked down and there were these beauties flying around.
  18. Llanvihangel Gobion

    Llanvihangel Gobion

    This is the River Usk at Llanvihangel Gobion, or more properly The Bryn, LG is what we're looking at. My previous visits to the area have been a little down stream.... I was hoping to see Sand Martins, in the bank, but it was hidden by this big tree. We did see a few flying around though, but...
  19. River Usk

    River Usk

    A view looking north upstream along the river on the outskirts of the small town of Usk. I see there a bit of Ragwort growing, a weed that is very poisonous to animals.
  20. Grey Wagtail

    Grey Wagtail

    Another distant little bird in the middle of a river. Well it's actually the same river (the Usk) but a few miles upstream at a great birdwatching place called Llanvihangel Gobion. I've been there before, but this time accessed from a different place (the little village of The Bryn if anyone's...
  21. Himalayan Balsam

    Himalayan Balsam

    Very pretty, but sadly a very invasive introduction. The River Usk has loads of these plants growing along the banks. Unfortunately swamping out the native plants.
  22. Common Sandpiper

    Common Sandpiper

    I never seem to get close views of these delightful little waders, but can't resist trying to get pictures of them. Our next outing (after yet another hospital stay!) was to Usk and the surrounding area. We started with a visit to a garden centre we'd been to before, where they have a feeding...
  23. Skirrid

    Skirrid

    The following day we took the bus to Hereford. A truly beautiful city with many typical black and white timber-framed houses. a wonderful cathedral too, with a chained library and the Mappa Mundi. There's good shopping there too. It made for a long but interesting day. I took my camera but...
  24. On the prowl

    On the prowl

    I'm not too sure how long Grey Heron legs are.... but someone will LOL Nearly deep enough for Harry to swim in though, isn't it. I liked the light and setting for this image.
  25. Dappled Light

    Dappled Light

    Another picture taken from the Bridge 99 stretch of the canal. This one I'd walked a few yards further along so I could get the Great (or Hairy) Willowherb Willowherb to frame the image. (I'd actually thought it was Rose-bay Willowherb, but Aeshna, in the Flower Forum put me right
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