A flock of birds over Wytham

Hundreds, if not thousands, of birds suddenly appear, fill the air for a short time, and disappear again.

Swans at sunset on Port Meadow

These swans look like decorations floating in liquid chocolate. Port Meadow, looking west into the evening sun.

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.

A narrow boat on Port Meadow

The canal barge looks as if it is beached in a field. It is, of course, on the River Thames, viewed across Port Meadow.

Small dog sees off big swans

I was composing a shot this morning of a placid group of swans sitting in a pool on Port Meadow. As I looked in my viewfinder, all hell broke loose as a small dog appeared.

Birds flock at evening on Port Meadow

The silver cloud just discernible between the trees is a large flock of birds which rose suddenly and noisily as the light faded across Port Meadow. I would tell you what they were if I knew.

Old and young greys on Port Meadow

They still make those films where the wise old Native American elder takes the young warrior to a lonely spot, makes him look across the tribal plains and urges him to grow strong and defend his birthright. I think that is what is happening here on Oxford's Port Meadow.

Evening sky towards Wytham

Sunset reflects in the foreground on the marsh which was left when the floods receded and, in the middle distance, on the River Thames

A motley pony on Port Meadow

You could spend hours trying to get such a patchwork pony to stand in such classic style against a patchwork background. Or you could just point and shoot, as I did. In the foreground is Port Meadow, a large inland sea only a week ago. Beyond the River Thames is Binsey, with Wytham Hill behind it.

Port Meadow cattle brave the floods

After days hemmed in at the south end of Port Meadow by the floods, the cattle and horses needed food. They gathered nervously at the brim before plunging in, then followed the river to Wolvercote

Cattle stranded on Port Meadow

The cattle had tried to move to the north end of Port Meadow but were defeated by the floods. It was several days before they could get up to Wolvercote

The gate onto flooded Port Meadow

The water just beyond the gate comes over my wellingtons. This is the bottom of the Aristotle Lane entrance to Port Meadow in Oxford. Port Meadow is usually a plain of browning grass by this time of year. The River Thames lies this side of the distant trees, but you cannot now see where Port Meadow ends and the river begins.

Artichokes and Hollyhocks

Artichokes and hollyhocks make a contrasting array on the Trap Grounds Allotments next to Port Meadow, Oxford

Heron and canal barge at Port Meadow

The canal barge looks as if it is floating on grass. I do not remember a year when Port Meadow did not dry out by July

Hercules and swift over Port Meadow

This was one of two Hercules transport planes which I photographed over Port Meadow. I did not notice the swift until much later.

Clouds over Wytham

Across Port Meadow to Wytham Hill as evening clouds mass above

Coot nests in a tyre at Medley

An old tyre makes a good nesting place for this coot. I found her here, at Medley beside Port Meadow, Oxford, two days running at the same time of day, stretching her legs and preening herself.

Boats and cranes on Port Meadow

Developers rule here in Oxford, thanks to compliant planners and spineless councillors. Their cranes lie between the spires and domes of Oxford and the boats and picnic parties on Port Meadow.

Henry Taunt bridge on Port Meadow

A site called Catholic Ponderer reproduces an old Henry Taunt picture of Port Meadow and kindly provides a link to my Binsey tag for a post about Gerard Manley Hopkins' Binsey Poplars.

The bridge he shows still exists - this photograph was taken last Winter. It stands at the south-east corner of Port Meadow near the Walton Well car park. So, not at Binsey (and not poplars either, but willows), but not far away.

Evening sky across Port Meadow

Taken from Burgess Field, across Port Meadow and the Thames, towards Wytham Hill on an evening in April