Somerset in Pictures: Wildlife and winter swimming

This Cormorant was seen flying over Westhay Nature Reserve

It was a week to look at the skies over Somerset - for various reasons.

One photographer managed to get some great pictures of magnificent birds flying over the countryside, while another took his camera high up on the Mendips to capture a special celestial sight.

Elsewhere, the weather was a real mixture of that classic British phrase "sunshine and showers".

Harry Trump captured the wildlife and sunrise at Westhay Nature Reserve near Glastonbury on 21 January. Westhay Moor is part of the famous Avalon Marshes within Somerset's historic Levels and Moors, and where Somerset Wildlife Trust works to help the animals and birds that live there.

A quick dip: Many people still have a swim at Clevedon Marine Lake, enjoying the health benefits despite the water and the air above it being pretty cold this time of year.

Stargazing: Photographer Josh Dury took this wide angle shot of the sky above the Mendips, taking advantage of the fact that multiple planets are clearly visible and bright at the moment, including Mars, Venus and Uranus. The phenomenon is known as a planetary parade.

Welcome visitors: Snowdrops were spotted by weather watcher Monique in Taunton. They traditionally signal the start of Spring and usually blossom at the end of January and in February. Meanwhile, in Shepton Mallet, snowdrops were planted by volunteers in preparation for their annual Snowdrop Festival.

The calm before the storm: Porlock was sunny with blue skies on Tuesday, whereas later in the week Storm Éowyn gave the Somerset coastline a very different look and feel.

Storm coming: The skies clouded over as the week came to the end, with this rather ominous cloud photographed over Weston-super-Mare.