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…

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2019 tree following 2: The Mermaid Quay plane

I caught sight of the Moon through the branches of my new tree-following subject when I visited at lunchtime on February 11

At last, my decision has been made. After much dithering I have chosen the London plane in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, as my tree-following subject for 2019. The Latin name is either Platanus × acerifolia or Platanus × hispanica.

Will the tree still be standing at the end of the year? Who knows? There is so much change going on in this area that you can never be too sure. The day before I visited to take these pictures I saw a smaller street tree nearby was being cut back to a stump.

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Bute East Dock and the old crane

The old crane beside the Wharf, which was once Cardiff’s Bute East Dock

For the last year my regular walk has been around the Wharf in Cardiff Bay, alongside County Hall, where I now work. The Wharf was formerly the Bute East Dock and a crane from those days stands near the middle of the far side.

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The Wharf in midwinter

Looking across the Wharf on Christmas Eve, with golden willow leaves in the foreground

It seems a long time ago now, but on Christmas Eve I went for my regular walk around the Wharf (former Bute East Dock) alongside my workplace at County Hall in Cardiff Bay. Although it is the middle of winter there was still plenty to see…

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The Wharf in November

Ripening fruit seen during my walk around the Wharf (former Bute East Dock) in Cardiff on November 20 – I have been calling this dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) but I am still not totally convinced

It has now become my habit to go for a walk around the Wharf (former Bute East Dock) at least once a month to document the plants. The darker days are here but I am still finding plenty in nature to brighten my day.

Mahonia is one of my favourite winter plants…

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Golden-eyed heron on a grey day

Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) on the Wharf in Cardiff Bay, November 20, 2018

There was a pleasant surprise on my monthly walk around the Wharf (former East Bute Dock) in Cardiff Bay this week. It was a very cold day with watery sunshine breaking through.

As I walked along the far side from my offices in County Hall I saw this grey heron (Ardea cinerea) quietly standing on the edge of a nesting platform provided for the wildfowl. The Wharf is full of carp and other fish, so this is a good place for a heron.

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Lloyd George Avenue in autumn

The blue BayBus – a long bendy bus – heading down Lloyd George Avenue towards Cardiff Bay

It is now nearly a year since I started working in Cardiff Bay and every day my bus ride takes me down Lloyd George Avenue, a broad, mile-long road linking the city centre and the bay.

For many months I had been meaning to walk the tree-lined avenue but it is only now in autumn that I have finally made the effort – hoping to identify the trees before the last leaves fall and identification becomes difficult again.

The red pin marks the middle of Lloyd George Avenue – click on the image to explore – with thanks to Google Maps

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