Sunday 28 November 2010

the first dusting of snow

Dust of Snow

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued

Robert Frost








such a cold, cold day. I can't believe the canals are frozen over already-and it looks  as if the cold weather is here to stay for a while at least




glorious Jelly Antler  fungus,spotted and named by Frankie within a minute of me telling her there might be some renumeration for spotting fungi on such a cold day...serves me right

no idea what this is-I did poke it though

crab apples galore




Guinea fowl tracks -there were masses of them (usually the birds are very much apparent but clearly too cold even for them).Frankie requested the photo,so this one is just for her.


Saturday 20 November 2010

' Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.'

Albert Camus

the fallen leaves provide a colourful back drop to the Jelly Ear fungus
again the texture of the bark is highlighted by the low afternoon sun filtering through the trees


these leaves had fallen naturally into the groove of a hollow tree-trunk,I loved the vibrant colours.





A Rowan tree with striking yellow berries


Sunday 14 November 2010

'And the cloudy days of autumn and of winter cometh on..'

A break from the fungi......

I was surprised by how nimble footed my mother can be when she wants to cross a field of inquisitive cows with speed ( even Milo was lagging behind) 


an over friendly Shetland who had a bit of a nibble

Saturday 13 November 2010

'The woods are lovely,dark, and deep..'

'The woods are lovely,dark,and deep,
 But I have promises to keep,
 And miles to go before I sleep,
 And miles to go before I sleep.'

Robert Frost


Most of the woods were sealed off today -grrr- for hunting (pheasants I presume). Still managed a lovely walk, just a bit nippy which means mum's 'dog walking hat ' will soon be making it's annual appearance  : ). Watch this space...
Pleurotus ostreatus Oyster Mushroom

Sulphur Tufts



no idea why these symbols have been painted on the trees....

...although think that whatever is going on with Frankie's hair is slightly more alarming...


here it is -The Stinkhorn and every bit as disgusting as it should be (shooed the flies off it first)

Friday 12 November 2010

stinkhorn update

the anorak in me hopes someone (other than myself of course) might be interested in the fact that these eggs refuse to hatch and play the game !....maybe it is too cold now.

Sunday 7 November 2010

'Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness'

Mum and I managed to prise Frankie into wellies this morning (an event in itself). We had a lengthy walk in an unfamiliar area using one of mum's ancient walk guide books which inevitably signposts you in the wrong direction as the guy who wrote it doesn't know his lefts from his rights. Cow slop galore and leaky wellies, trips, scrapes and bumps are all routine fixtures-but it was a beautifully sunny morning so was worth it.

sometimes a walk can be worth it just to spot something as simple as this ladybird
Oak apples

hope the occupant wasn't too disturbed by the tree roots...
Blackthorn -Sloe berries
Calvatia gigantea Giant Puffball-nestling in the undergrowth at the side of the canal this was about 30cm in diameter.Edible when young apparently-ugh

came across this by the side of the canal-Mycena galapos candida White Milking Bonnet.Tiny, delicate and completely translucent.Think I need to invest in a macro lens for my camera to pick up the close-up detail.








  

Monday 1 November 2010

November 1st

"The Road goes ever on and on
  Down from the door where it began.
  Now far ahead the Road has gone,
  And I must follow, if I can,
  Pursuing it with eager feet,
  Until it joins some larger way
  Where many paths and errands meet.
 And whither then? I cannot say"

J R R Tolkein

my pal



not sure about this one-think it is Panus Oysterling Lilac Oysterling


                            

Scleroderma verrucosum Common Earthball, very poisonous but I loved the colour and texture of this aged specimen
Boletes luridus Lurid Bolete not come across one of these yet so was fairly pleased

Russula nobilis Beechwood Sickener,highly poisonous as it's name suggests

the dreaded Honey Fungus again
loving the slug trail on these..

I have deliberated for ages with this Russula but think it is a Russula aquosa

completely stumped-all suggestions gratefully received..?some sort of cup fungi

yes,the toe of my shoe is a deliberate addition to give an idea of scale of this Birch Polypore which was huge at about 35cm in diameter