Wednesday 14 December 2011

The Beauty Of Nature

In his forward to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Portfolio, Joe Cornish eloquently describes how photographing nature gives us a sense of who and what we are.The use of photographs helps us  to understand we are part of nature,not apart from it and to 'rejoice in the mystery,majesty,beauty-and abundance-of life'. Being outdoors with a camera is a reward in itself and 'discovering a sense of wonder in the wild is the greatest prize of all'.

The beauty and importance of fungi is that without it there would be no animals. This post focuses more on the textures and rich colours of the fungi which  fascinates me.

Wood Blewit



Shaggy Scalycap





Purple Jellydisc


Slippery Jack

Common Puffball

White Brain





this Bolete is almost like a wood carving
a slug with an appetite for Bolete flesh
again this almost seems as if it is a wood carving- I am assuming it is teeth/claw marks that have made the impression on the cap of the Bolete 
because they are probably my favourites of the fungi world I am making a concerted effort to get to grips with identifying the Boletes-I am fairly certain this is a Rooting Bolete
well I clearly didn't get very far in identification-not a clue
I was searching for fungi under some bark when I found these two instead-I still feel guilty for exposing them to the elements
the underside of the Bolete cap
an aged Red Cracking Bolete
Fly Agaric-it has been a good season for these and despite the onset of the cold weather they can still be found

Bolete Mould


















Friday 25 November 2011

South Devon butterfly house

I was given the opportunity to see the stunning photography on display at the 'Wildlife Photographer of the year' exhibition at the Natural History Museum yesterday. It has prompted me to download the photos I took in the summer of some of the most exquisite and beautiful butterflies in the world. They are meant for sharing.
Enjoy.



Crimson Patch












Atlas moth
I messed around in photoshop with this image as loved the abstract effect of the patterns and colours


these two were still drying having not long emerged..


Tree Nymph





Cattleheart, True








Morpho,Blue
these beauties were pretty elusive to capture on camera


quite fascinating how the wings of this butterfly were transparent