The Wharf – all that remains

Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) on the Wharf in Cardiff Bay

There was not a lot to see on my latest walk around the Wharf (former Bute East Dock) in Cardiff Bay – at least in terms of vegetation. I found that someone had hacked back most of the bushes and perennials on the far side from my office in County Hall. Even the gorse I had looked forward to seeing in its golden glory had gone.

But there were some small pleasures. These pictures were taken on January 17…

Sweetgum (Liquidambar) in front of the apartments whose reflection coloured the water in the grebe picture above

Old sweetgum seed balls

I don’t recall what this was before it was cut back, but I will keep an eye on it

Coot (Fulica atra)

Buds of willow – I think goat willow (Salix caprea)

I should know what this is…

Hip or haw or other red fruit

The hedge has been hacked back – beyond is a main road with the Celsa steelworks on the other side

Reedmace (Typha latifolia), which I always call bulrush – and I imagine these when I think of the story of baby Moses in the bulrushes

A closer look at the fluffy seeds

A narrow-leaved willow

A periwinkle (Vinca major) that was low-growing enough to evade the strimmer blade

A stand of alder trees (Alnus glutinosa)

Cone-like female flowers and catkin-like male flowers of alder

This is also alder, a smaller tree near the water – is it even the same species?

Rotting black berries – they used to be red

Rotting dead fish – it probably use to be a carp

Ivy on pine bark

Golden flowers of barberry (Berberis darwinii)

Bright red berries

Cherry tree buds – I must look out for the flowers as I think I missed them last year

Dried-up Canadian fleabane (Erigeron canadensis)

This clump of willow has been cut back

And finally…

Another coot – standing on one leg among the muck and reflected buildings