It’s been an unseasonably mild autumn so far in England. These rambling roses were among several plants still in flower when we had significant snowfall the other day.

It’s been an unseasonably mild autumn so far in England. These rambling roses were among several plants still in flower when we had significant snowfall the other day.
The recent cold spell means that Shakerley Mere is part frozen, giving rise to patterns of water, ice and snow.
The common resident black-headed gulls sunbathe on the ice, awaiting walkers with food to offer.
Of course, at this time of year their heads are not black.
The gull on the right shows the dangers of bleaching from the low winter sun.
These silver birches with a dusting of snow on a grey day give a rather attractive, almost-monochrome image, emphasising their delicate tracery.
Towards sundown in winter Tatton Park becomes a place of magic, with wonderful images of sky, silhouettes of trees and the lakes. The recent snow and ice on the lake gave an added bonus this New Year’s Eve.
I couldn’t decide which of two similar images to include, so here they are both.
Winter finally arrives in Knutsford, with a few cold days and snow. A cloudy afternoon sky briefly lights up to give a Brueghel-like image of people, dogs and snowman scattered around, before a background of lime tree silhouettes.
A couple of minutes later, the chance brightness had gone.