scenes from Autumn

these pretty scenes reflect the end of a brief but brilliant Autumn.

skipping off

well, that's one year in my blog. I have really enjoyed sharing my experiences with you (2001 visitors, including me!) and the dog's eye view of my amazing home, and some of my concerns about what you are doing, inadvertently perhaps, to the planet. I am not going to keep a daily diary now, but if there are any notable images I will ask Dad to post them from time to time. The blog will stay up for the time being.

Smile and the whole world smiles with you, weep and you weep alone.

Love Spot, Harriet, Cassie and Max and the admin staff at Orchard House.

Admin note: Spot is wonderful. An interactive DVD of thousands of images of local flora, fauna, and views including some from this blog is available for a small fee if you email me using his email address above.

jelly antler fungus

.... or yellow stagshorn fungus depending on which book you read, common but pretty (like Harriet I suppose) 

another set of wary eyes

the rich colours of this pheasant have been pleasantly enhanced by the warm glow of this evening's autumnal sunset. 

green wood cup

chlorociboria aeruginascens (sounds like a very grand aunty) growing on our paddock fence. This little fungus stains wood green and was much prized for marquetry when it grew on oak. The outer surface is described as scurfy, like my coat. 

lanes

although most of the wild flowers have gone except for a few pale limp campion, the colours are very rich at this time of year as the bracken dies off and the leaves on the trees begin to turn.

It is getting very exciting for me. Who will claim the prize? Me, again ??