Heron at Caversham Weir
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
I was lucky to have seen the heron moments after he snatched the fish from the waters of the Thames. Herons will wait patiently for hours between catches, and I am not nearly so patient. Image cannot be loaded
The Thames from View Island, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
This section of the Thames is just downstream of Caversham Lock as the river bends to the right past the 'Better Boating' Boatyard and onwards towards Kennet Mouth. Image cannot be loaded
Grey Heron at the Weir, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
Often a solitary Grey Heron can be seen waiting patiently at Caversham Weir. Here the heron has spotted something of interest and has unfurled his wings ready for lift-off. Image cannot be loaded
Flooded footpath near Caversham Weir
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
The Thames has burst its banks and the footpath near the weir is inaccessible, unless as in this view, the walkers have had the foresight to be wearing wellies. Image cannot be loaded
St. Peter's Church, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
St. Peter's Church stands near the Thames, overlooking Caversham Court Gardens. The foundation of the church is 12th century, with links to Notley Abbey at Long Crendon. Image cannot be loaded
Hideous carved head at View Island, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
Normally this old fellow is well above the water-line, but with the recent flooding, he looks like he will be forced to drink some water. Image cannot be loaded
Wild Teasel growing on View Island, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
The Teasel is a spectacular wild flower, growing to over two metres in height. The stem of the plant is very spiny, as is the seed-head. Image cannot be loaded
Whittington's Tea Barge moored at Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
This unusual Tea Shop operates from a barge moored at the Caversham riverbank. When the weather is fine, patrons can sit and enjoy cake and tea al fresco by the Thames. Image cannot be loaded
Thames Riverbank at View Island, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
This picture was taken in early October. Most of the foliage is still green except for the leaves of the Virginia Creeper which are turning a brilliant red. Image cannot be loaded
Christchurch Bridge, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
This is a cable-stayed bridge over the River Thames at Caversham. It provides a dedicated pedestrian / cycle route linking the town of Reading with the suburb of Caversham. Image cannot be loaded
Warren Lodge, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
This pretty cottage near St. Peter's Church stands at the entrance to 'The Warren'.
The Warren itself is a long lane running parallel to the Thames on the elevated wooded slopes on the Oxfordshire side of the river. Any address on the Warren is undoubtedly prestigious. Old photographs show gates near the Lodge, but these have long since gone. Image cannot be loaded
Modern Houses on the Mill Stream at Heron Island, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
Modern houses now stand on the site of the old Caversham Mill but the millstream remains as an attractive feature. The wooden bridge over the stream is part of the footpath from Caversham Lock to Lower Caversham. Image cannot be loaded
Fox Glove Flowers in my garden at Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
Fox Gloves produce huge amounts of seed and I have been fortunate to have these bee-friendly flowers reappearing each year in early summer. This photo shows the fine hairs at the entrance to the flowers. The fine hairs discourage small insects from entering the trumpet, but do not stop the bees getting in and pollinating the flowers. Image cannot be loaded
Foxglove Flower in my garden at Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
A macro shot of the internals of a foxglove flower. The main features are the four stamens (bearing the pollen) and the pistil (the female part of the flower) at the centre. Pollination will occur by transfer of pollen from the end of the stamen (the anther) of one flower to the stigma (at the end of the pistil) of the other flower. Transfer of pollen is usually done by the Bees, who love foxgloves and are the main pollinating insect for this plant. Image cannot be loaded
Heron resting by the old millstream at Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
The heron appears to be 'one-legged', but this 'unipedal resting pose' is common to many large wading birds such as herons and flamingoes. The most probable explanation is that the bird is conserving body heat in this pose. Image cannot be loaded
Swan's nest at View Island, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
Even though the houses at Heron Island are overlooking the swan's nest, the location is fairly inaccessible and the swan seems unworried by the presence of humans. Image cannot be loaded
St. Peter's Church, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
The Tower was partially destroyed in 1643 during the Civil War, and was rebuilt in its present form in 1878. The Church itself dates back to the 12th century. Image cannot be loaded
View Island, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
Looking across to Caversham Weir from the Landing Stage at View Island. The view is brightened by the brilliant red of the Virginia Creeper which is entwined in the trees. Image cannot be loaded
Caversham Park House, Caversham, Reading
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
There has been a house on this site since the time of William the Conqueror. The present house dates from 1850 and its most recent occupants were BBC Monitoring (now relocated to London). Image cannot be loaded
Lock Controls at Caversham Lock, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
View of the Lock-Keeper's Controls at Caversham Lock. The Lock Gates on this stretch of the Thames are normally power-assisted, making life much easier than when manual labour was required. Image cannot be loaded
Caversham Weir seen from View Island
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
The two buildings in the background of the picture are Reading Bridge House on the left and Clearwater Court (the head office of Thames Water) on the right. Image cannot be loaded
Caversham Library, Church Street, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
Caversham Library was built in 1907 with money given by the Carnegie Trust. The architecture is quaint, with a figure of Father Time supporting the clock and the tower topped by a weathervane in the shape of a swan. Image cannot be loaded
Ivy Farmhouse, Gosbrook Road, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
This attractive 17th century Grade II listed building would originally have been an isolated farm house but is now almost unnoticed, surrounded by 19th and 20th century development. Image cannot be loaded
New Testament Church of God, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
The building was originally a cinema, opened in 1911 (first as the Electric Theatre, later renamed The Glendale). It closed in 1977 and was acquired around 1980 for use as a Pentecostal Church. The building retains much of the original cinema architecture including the balcony. Image cannot be loaded
Caversham Court Gardens and St. Peter's Church
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
The gardens were extensively renovated in 2009. The house that once stood here was demolished in the last century. All that remains are the outbuildings, boundary walls and the Gazebo. Image cannot be loaded
Caversham Lakes
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
One of several lakes created as a result of gravel extraction in the floodplain of the Thames. This particular lake is used for private fishing. As can be seen, the water is exceptionally clear in these lakes. Image cannot be loaded
Church of St John the Baptist, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
St John's was built in Victorian times to serve the rapidly increasing population of Lower Caversham. The style is early English constructed of flint with stone dressings. Image cannot be loaded
St. Anne's Well, Caversham
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
The well is situated at the top of Priest Hill. The appearance is not very impressive these days, but the holy well was venerated by Pilgrims in the Middle Ages. Image cannot be loaded
African Queen River Boat negotiating Caversham Lock
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
The 'African Queen' is a hotel boat, often seen on this stretch of the Thames. Contrary to appearances, where it looks like she won't fit through the lock gates, her skipper seems to get her through quite easily. Image cannot be loaded