Karl Hartwig Schütz's favorite photos

A group of volunteers set up this Inclusive Cycling experience. Different types of bikes are freely available to folks with a variety of needs, and the 'customers' are able to feel the benefits of fresh air and independence, in the company of an experienced volunteer. The PiP show a group of very young cyclists, comparing bikes and enjoying a gossip nearby.

The Aston Cil Nature Reserve, was started in 2018 and completed in 2023. It runs parallel to the Montgomery Canal, and there are several large lakes, some of which are unavailable to the general public. The whole area was created by the Canal and Rivers Trust, and work, including 2 bird hides and various pieces of artwork, was done by a group of paid workers/artists and also school children. We walk around here fairly regularly, and until this year there seems to have been very little to find as far as birds are concerned. This time we spotted 2 egrets, a pair of swans, a grebe, ducks, and a moorhen. In the past we have seen a heron and coot too. Now that the birds have arrived we assume that the lakes provide enough food. This art fence is right by one of the hides, and conceals one of the ponds. The plaque shows a quote by Henry David Thoreau, "In wildness is the preservation of the world." His idea focuses on the human need for freedom in the beauty of ordinary places.

SC86 = Unsharp Quietly stalking the house, this wraith, this poltergeist, this ghostly vision, wanders tirelessly, searching for books which are then left scattered carelessly around the house. We know it's always there - but rarely seen. But this morning? Well .... that's another matter ....

SC84 - Post 25 February - Someone at work - person/people or animal/s The locomotive is being turned ready for the return trip to Aylsham. With no power available, the crew are obviously putting their backs into the task, while passengers are waiting for the train to be turned round. www.bvrw.co.uk/trains/locomotive-number-9 www.bvrw.co.uk

www.shrewsburytowncouncil.gov.uk/beaver-project www.myshrewsbury.co.uk/blog/beavers-to-return-to-shrewsbury-old-river-bed The 280m (920ft) route crosses the Old River Bed Site of Special Scientific Interest is now open. The plan is to reintroduce the species to the relatively urban habitat between two housing estates. A family of the dam-building mammals is expected to be released there this summer. The scheme is a partnership between Shropshire Wildlife Trust and the town council. It is envisaged that the beavers will clear the young willow and alder trees to make room for a wetland habitat which will support more species.

The world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, was on display in Shrewsbury Museum in the Square, from Saturday 6th January to Sunday 18th February 2024. This is the display from young photographers. There was exceptional work on show, but unfortunately we arrived when the room was very crowded. One of the most tragic photographs on display can be found here: www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy/gallery/2023-the-face-of-the-persecuted

SC83 - post 18 February - random subject For this weeks' challenge I have chosen 'Hope' as my subject. Each year in late spring, the joyous awakening of the world fills many of us with hope for the future. This week started last Sunday with the background photo of snowdrop carpets, and along came bursts of more flowers including the male catkins of hazel. followed by the white froth of blackthorn flowers, the pale yellow beauty of wild primroses, beautiful early Prunus blossom and the glorious yellow of the Tenby daffodil - Narcissus obvalaris. There are many other flowers that have opened this week too, including Crocus thomasinianus, Anemone blanda, Pulmonaria officianalis, Cyclamen, and winter jasmine. But if i put all of this onto the photo the snowdrops, which are one of my favourite flowers would be hidden. Spring is nearly upon us in the Northern hemisphere, so I wish for you all the precious gift of hope.