woolly bears?

a very large caterpillar found crossing the road up to Kit Hill. It looks a bit like the caterpillar of the tiger moth known colloquially as woolly bears, but it is very large for a tiger moth caterpillar and a slightly different colour. I haven't been able to identify it. Many caterpillars are leaving their food plants now to look for somewhere to hibernate.

welcome visitor

A nuthatch, in its characteristic upside down feeding position, making a rare visit to the peanuts. It is a feisty little bird and tends to drive off other birds when it is feeding.

little and large

the smallest of the small (? mycena or marasmius sps) growing in a forest of moss, and a large parasol mushroom emerging in a hedgerow.

now what?

Spot following in his mother's footsteps (link)

a tissue of life

this little white drab daisy like flower is sneezewort. It is odd how something quite common like this can pass one by. Apparently the smell of it can make a man (and presumably a woman) sneeze. It was widely used to treat toothache, and blocked noses. Its leaves have a biting  hot taste and have been used in salads. Found in Ged's fields at Bridestowe yesterday during a very pleasant walk, and lunch at the excellent White Hart Inn (see link) who have an enormous Great Dane puppy which put the fear of dogs into Spot.

we'll ring you

Not all of our red telephone boxes have been removed, and some have been pressed into new life. Not sure that there will be a riot in Latchley any time soon.