Wolves Wild

Mulberry leaves against a sunny autumn sky. More nature photography from the comfort of the terrace of the Dirty Duck at Stratford on Avon.

Slug determinedly climbing up the trunk of one of the trees in the wood at Northycote Farm.

Like many mushrooms, these fly agarics started out with domed caps which then flattened: the colour also faded.

They are pictured here four days after the photos in an earlier post.

Candlesnuff fungus growing, apparently from the ground, in a wooded area.

It will actually have been growing on buried wood, perhaps the root of a one-time tree.

I was attracted by the rose hip and the acorn which had fallen right by the fungus.

Russulas growing through leaf litter.

They were probably common yellow russulas, but they were old, faded and nibbled.

They were growing in the wooded area in the grounds of Compton Hospice.

Two related species of mushrooms which get the name of deceiver because of their great variability of colour. The amethyst deceiver (above) fades with age – a process which had probably begun with the one seen here.

I noticed these two growing not far from each other on the same lawn.

The trees along the Railway Walk, and those of Tettenhall ridge behind, beginning to change colour for autumn.

This fly agaric was pictured at the same time as those featuring in the previous post.

Unlike them, it was in direct sunlight. All three looked similar in colour to my naked eye, but the camera recorded this one as much brighter.

A group of fly agaric mushrooms pictured on the day of the great storm that passed us by.

These two fruiting bodies were in shade.

Despite the rain, which had been heavy overnight, the red of their caps showed no sign of having been leached.

Seven intrepid nature lovers starting out on a wild walk on a beautiful November morning, with Chris and Geoff from the Smestow Valley Birders leading the way.

The early morning sunlight brought out the autumn colours of the trees by the Railway Walk and Tettenhall Ridge beyond.

A half-hour sky watch done, and time to get on the move.

At Compton Lock, with two little grebes downstream.

Further along the towpath, five song thrushes were at the top of a tree on the other bank.

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As we reached Meccano Bridge, we were ready to step out of the shade.

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Two little grebes here got most people’s attention, but the dog seemed more interested in what I was doing.

The dabchicks were busy fishing …

and, as usual, staying just a little too far away to pose for a good picture.

The final stop before we all headed for our homes and a hot drink – Wetland Lake.