Autumn Sunshine

As we set out today, it was one of those bright, sunlit, chilly mornings which makes you want to be out and about taking it all in. It was also one of those days when you just want to enjoy the 'bigger picture' and simply enjoy some wider views. Starting out along what we know as 'the donkey walk.' Here, the Birches are hanging on to their golden leaves.

Further on, we had some spectacular views across the farmland, towards Shipley Hill and the autumnal shades which glowed in the sunshine.

Through a small copse of trees which took us off Slack Lane, it was time to stop and look up...

through the thinning canopy of Oak and Ash leaves...

to the blue skies beyond.

From here, our onward path was laid out before us with shafts of light slanting through the hedgerow.

A little digital 'bloom' adds a certain something..

Time to head home and get the coffee on!

All Change

Our walk this morning was conducted under blue skies and bright sunshine and was surprisingly warm by the time we headed home.
At Mapperley Reservoir, there were plenty of Coots arguing amongst themselves as usual and on the railings a group of Black-headed Gulls were preening and looking wonderful in the sunshine.

At this time of year, these gulls have all changed their plumage and have lost the black head markings (actually brown, but lets not split hairs) and are sporting a simple, dark spot behind the eye. They have however, retained their deep red bills and legs.

Well known to be noisy and irascible, these individuals seemed too busy sorting out their appearance to be bothered with fighting and squawking at each other.

On a nearby roof-top  this morning, I was delighted to see a Mistle Thrush enjoying the early sun.

Mistle Thrushes are the largest member of the Thrush family and get their name from the Mistletoe, the fruits of which are a great favourite.

They often sing their loud and fluty song in wet, windy weather, leading to their old common name of 'Stormcock.' A fine way to start the day.

Autumn Walks

After the recent wild weather, the colours of Autumn have taken a bit of a bashing. The Maples of Shipley Park were looking quite good before the wind stripped them of their colourful covering.

On Shipley Hill, the Oaks and Beeches have now lost many of their leaves, but at least the mild, wet weather has ensured that the grass is still green.

Among the trees on hill, much of the recent colour now carpets the ground, but with a bit of digital manipulation, things can still look good - and surprisingly green.

You can even turn the scene into an oil painting...

This morning, as we strode along 'the farm walk', I was delighted to see that the fungi were still doing well beneath the silver birches. I still haven't been able to positively identify some of the toadstools I photographed a couple of weeks ago. The big brown ones...

the smaller white ones...

More brown ones...

Some with a creamy appearance...

and a few gorgeous ones with a pink flush.

Looks like I still have some work to do.

Tiny Predator

First thing this morning, I managed to add another tick to my life lists. I noticed on top of our compost bin, there were the remains of a Garden Spider with the head and thorax missing and only the abdomen left. Some inches away, there were a couple of dismembered legs from the unfortunate spider and between the two parts, the culprit sat, looking menacing - but tiny! This was the abdomen of the Garden Spider...

The perpetrator of this grizzly scene was a another spider. Much smaller and rather attractive (if a spider can ever be described as attractive), with translucent legs and a pink abdomen. It turned out to be a specimen of Enoplognatha ovata.

Known for being particularly ferocious little predators, they often prey on creatures much larger than themselves, as indeed this one had - the Garden spider must have been ten times the size of the
Enoplognatha ovata.

Later, when Malcolm and I returned home from shopping, the spider was still there and by now had returned to its meal. It was now to be found feasting on the legs of its prey.

I think this is a female. Enoplognatha ovata is very variable in both colour and pattern and rather common in British gardens, but it was a great start to the day, being able to add a new tick - even a somewhat alarming one!

Toadstools

As promised, some more pictures from yesterday's mycological meanderings. Among the Fly Agarics, there were a few small, pink-capped toadstools nestling in the moss. They turned out to be Rose Russulas. Looking slightly worse for wear from the attentions of slugs and snails which had chewed around the edges, exposing the white gills beneath.

The slugs had also had a good go at another toadstool, this time with a greenish coloured cap. I think this fungus is a Charcoal Burner, although it's often tricky to identify as they vary so much in colour.

Close to the edge of the line of Birches, a lone Brown Birch Bolete stood proudly.

Further along the path, the Wildlife Trust have created a few paths through the woodland and it was here that I found a fallen tree trunk with several more fungi on it.

These strange-looking objects are known as King Alfred's Cakes due to their resemblance to that Monarch's fabled and failed attempts at baking.

Growing on another bit of dead wood - this time, the old stump of a felled tree - was another fungal form. Known as a Many-Zoned Polypore, it has become more commonly called a Turkey Tail for obvious reasons.

Lastly, was a large and impressive group of fungi growing at the base of a group of Birches.

The pattern of concentric rings on the cap and the generally furry appearance, marks these as Woolly Milk-Caps.

Many other fungi were growing around the area, but they probably need more expertise than I possess, to identify them - but I'll not give up yet!

Fruit and Fungi

This morning, I thought I would see if I could find any fungi along the 'farm walk'. The task turned out to be much easier than I'd expected, as it seems to be good year for the budding Mycologist. Always the best to find are the Fly Agarics - probably the most easily identifiable fungus and the archetypal 'toadstool'.

Among the Silver Birches at this time of year, they always make a brilliant display.

Well-known for their hallucinogenic qualities, it is often said that anyone who ingests them, soon gets the feeling that inanimate objects are alive!

Needless to say, I didn't test out the theory, preferring to just enjoy the colourful scene.

As well as the Fly Agarics, there were plenty of other fungi thrusting out of the leaf litter, but I will have to try and identify them before posting them on the blog.
Also along the hedgerows this morning, the fruits of autumn were numerous and colourful. Rather delicate-looking and very red, were those belonging to the Bittersweet or Woody Nightshade.

Looking attractive and juicy, they are of course poisonous, although fatalities are very rare and would require the ingestion of a very large quantity.

Further along and the berries were quite different.

These are Privet berries and are also poisonous. Eating these could result in nausea, low blood pressure, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Far better just to appreciate the shiny fruits on the bush and leave them to the birds.

More Fungi will follow as I try to identify them...

Early Start

We were up and about early this morning because Malcolm is away on his travels enjoying a few days of sunshine in Portugal. So, after taking him to the airport, I got back home for coffee, breakfast and an early walk. I started by heading for Mapperley Village and reservoir, along Slack Lane. at the reservoir, all was very quiet...

Just a few Coots, Gulls and a lone fisherman provided the company and from across the water, the sounds of distant geese and a calling grebe was all that could be heard.

Onward and upward, I headed for Shipley Hill.

Despite the gloomy conditions, the autumn colours were still quite lovely. The old Beech tree on the southern side of the hill, was looking wonderful...

Having manged to dodge a few Chestnuts falling from the trees - the squirrels were either being careless or they were shying them at me - it was safer out in the open.

A heavy dew made for a soggy walk across the grass, but a little 'bloom' on the pictures gives them an artistic feeling and highlights the colours.

Out and Back

Yesterday found Malcolm and I taking his mum and her friend, for a short trip to Carsington Reservoir. It has been a long time since we visited the reservoir so it was good to get out and about there again.

It was a somewhat overcast day and the breeze was rather chilly, but at least it stayed dry as we walked around the water's edge. There was not much happening on the water. Just a couple of people fishing from row-boats lots of Coots, Greylag Geese and one Little Egret picking around the shallows.

We ended our trip out, with a nice lunch in Belper.
This morning, it was still overcast for our walk around our usual patch. We headed for Osborne's Pond along the track of an old railway line. The leaves are beginning to collect in large quantities as Autumn gets a hold.

With dog-walkers and horse riders using the same path, it can be a little tricky walking through Autumn leaves - you have to watch your step!

The colours of Autumn don't seem to be lasting long this year and the stiff breeze is doing its best to bring the leaves down just as soon as they turn colour.