Herons opposite Binsey on Port Meadow

There are 7 or more herons on Port Meadow at the moment, together with some egrets. When they move, it is often to displace another heron from a good feeding spot.

Wet cow at Binsey, Oxford

Binsey is on low-lying land beside the River Thames near Oxford. The cattle looked distinctly mournful on Saturday, when this was taken.

Snow over Port Meadow to Binsey

Midsummer's day is a good opportunity to recall what Port Meadow looks like under snow. This view is the same as several more pastoral shots across Port Meadow to Binsey on this site and was taken on 8 February 2007.

Oilseed rape above Binsey

Oilseed rape was not intensively grown in Britain until the mid-1960s. I can remember almost a shock at finding a bright new colour in the palette of the fields around my school. They grew it last year on Wytham Hill above Binsey. This photograph, across Port Meadow and the Thames and Binsey, was taken last May.

The Thames at Binsey

Still waters - the Thames at Binsey, Oxford, seen from Port Meadow

Binsey Buttercups

Buttercups at Binsey, seen from Port Meadow across the River Thames. What you cannot see is that much of the Perch Inn, behind the trees to the right, was destroyed by fire a few days earlier.

The Perch Inn at Binsey, Oxford, on fire

The Perch Inn at Binsey, Oxford, was on fire this evening

Across Port Meadow to Binsey

The Perch pub lies between the trees, with the River Thames and Port Meadow between us and it.