David

The guide books say that candle snuff (also called stag’s horn) can be found all year round. But it becomes more noticeable during the winter months, when there are fewer leaves around to hide it. It grows on dead wood, including tree stumps.

Hawthorn Wood, between the Railway Walk and the canal. Given more atmosphere than usual by a bright winter sun shining through early morning mist.

Back in the middle of the month, the first snowdrops were just starting to flower under the trees in Bantock Park.

Another mushroom which was thriving through the period with daily overnight frosts. These – possibly rooting shanks – were growing under the hedge by the canal path at Castlecroft.

Scarlet elf cups are funig which are not just resistant to frost, they seem to positively thrive in the coldest months. These bright red fruiting bodies appear early in the new year, often growing on fallen twigs and branches. These were all near the Railway Walk, in Hawthorn Wood and by Newbridge.

Clear skies overnight had left behind a layer of frost over the vegetation, and bright sun in a cloudless sky. The frost on these teazle seed heads was picking out the hooks on the edge and the threads of spider web festooning the plants.