life in the hedgerows

I have noticed in the last week or so that there are small signs of new life in the hedgerows-hooray...

I'm sure it's a little early even for ladybirds though

I have bought 2 more fungi books to help with identification (one of which has disappeared into the ether already-probably hidden by a family member to prevent me poring over it) but remain unenlightened (not sure if that's a word)

I had to go back for another look at these beauties

Split  Porecrust

 Jelly Ear- a different colour to the usual brown/reddish

Cramp Balls (King Alfred's Cakes)-traditionally used to prevent cramp and particular to Ash and Birch.These were about 3-4 cm in diameter

he never tires of the canals

the underside of a Mazegill varient

Dead Molls Fingers (hmm -on reflection I'm thinking the angle is a little unfortunate..! )

Silver Leaf fungus

this lovely old Oak was completely covered in the above

Jacob sheep and brackets

a rare breed-Jacob sheep.This fella has magnificent horns and I'm truly thankful he was the other side of the fence. These sheep were kept to guard farm buildings and protect other livestock from predators in days gone by, and  might explain why mother and her walking partner were chased across the field by these beauties the day before! (it is a public footpath though which is a little alarming)

this was one of 2 carcasses in the same field the sheep were in and judging by the horns I'm guessing it was a lamb of the above breed. Given the nature of these sheep it would be interesting to know what can get close enough to kill the offspring

not a particularly good photo but the bracket was high in the tree.Think it is a Willow bracket with a new layer forming each year.Not come across one of these despite it's commonness (is that a word even?).

I can't seem to stop the child from getting into scrapes...

Stump puffballs still going strong





no idea- about 6cm in diameter ? Silverleaf Fungus



wondering if this is Tripe fungus or Hairy Curtain Crust (delightful name) but actually clueless - I clearly need some more ID books



nothing in my books resembles these,grrr- about 6mm in diameter ? Beech Woodwart



beautiful bark





I make no apologies for more of the aged Birch Polypore as am just enjoying this marvellous colouring

A few fine days

I have had huge problems with my photo software which gave up on me early January, hence the delay in posting.I have now purchased new software which will no doubt take me months to get to grips with,grrr. The following is a small selection from recent weeks where there has been the occasional ray of sunshine.January for the most part has been pretty bleak it has to be said...  

Frankie finds a friend out in the sticks

Frankie also found this beautiful swathe of TurkeyTail and was extremely pleased with herself

Beech Barkspot

proof that the sun can shine in January




 

aged Jelly Ear

am loving the macro lens attachment!

I was surprised to stumble across this crop of Oyster Mushrooms and can only think that the copse we wandered through had been well protected from the recent freeze

I make no apologies for stray wool-just enjoyed the textures of wool and bark

Frankie and mum
mum banned me from printing this but there has to be evidence of smiles in January as far as I'm concerned

one of my favorites-this field was completely waterlogged following the thaws but most of the water had frozen leaving some interesting images beneath the ice

I hope this picture invites you to reach out and run your hand over the wood..

'the trouble with lichen'

Birch Polypores on a gloomy day

The weather continues to be gloomy and grey but undeterred I ventured out today determined to try out a recently purchased macro attachment for my lens. It rained and rained and rained..

There is an abundance of Birch Polypores and I continue to chart the life cycle of some that I have been watching since the summer, although many of the birches that have hosted them have crashed and fallen unfortunately.

I cropped this droplet further as noticed that the landscape behind is inverted perfectly within it..fascinating

at last I can pick up some of the finer bark detail which fascinates me although really need a brighter day to avoid camera shake

a very old Birch Polypore

one of the fallen winter Birches

this aged specimen really is a vibrant lime green

am now thinking this is Hairy Curtain Crust (edited February)

no idea as to what type of jelly fungus this may be