Heather

Heather (calluna vulgaris), Bell Heather (erica cinerea) and Cross-leaved Heath (erica tetralix) provide bees with rich fragrant pollen and bring a purple hue and a beautiful scent to the open areas of the forest. A feast for eye, the nose and the spirit.

Shroom

A seasons shift sometimes passes imperceivably until, before you know it, everything has changed, not this time; autumns arrival is most definite, clearly visible and intentions understood. The air is cleaner, cooler, the wind has spirit and harasses you whenever you break cover and the ground is softening, becoming water logged, with standing water now becoming more common place. The fungi are loving the shift and burst through the soften ground in appreciation. All manner of mushroom can be seen, of particular interest are the Boletus; several good feeds have been enjoyed already.

Summer Ceps

Although one or two here and there have been sighted, today was my first proper pick of Ceps this season. The Summer Cep (Boletus reticulatus).

Late Summer on Red Rise Brook

Although the stream through Red Rise is back within its banks, evidence of water racing amongst the stands is clearly visible. The woodland floor is scoured, in places revealing bare soil, whilst jumbled clusters of forest detritus, gathered in the torrents have been redeposited by the receding flood waters.

Pinnick Summer

The far reaches of Pinnick Wood are simultaneously tranquil and yet so alive, so vibrant, so filled with vitality. Dappled light pierces the canopy and mottles the woodland floor. As the season draws to a close and the race nearly run, a last spurt of energy is evident; the trees and shrub plants hang heavy with fruit. Nuts and berries are bountiful this year.

Kimmeridge

Summer sunset

Burley Old late summer

vertebrae

Like giant vertebrae the roots of long toppled leviathans litter the woodland floor. Their unusual forms create strange shapes seen from a far.