There’s a particular branch on a particular tree alongside the River Ely where a Grey heron sits and cogitates about life, the universe and, probably, where its next meal is coming from.

The heron is mostly obscured from the view of passing dog walkers by the riverside trees amongst which he sits but at least one keen-eyed photographer (moi) knows this is a favourite spot and looks for him there.

These three photos of old man heron (though it could be a female – I’m not sure how you tell the gender of Grey heron, or even if you can) were taken at the same spot, almost exactly a month apart, on 31 December, 25 January and 26 February.

And, now that I look at them together, I’m not sure if it is the same bird – I’ve always assumed it was because of the bird’s preference for this particular spot. His plumage looks a little different, though there is a pale spot near the end of his beak that is unchanged from one month to the next. What do you think?