Autumn reigns

Autumn reigns supreme across the forest and does so gloriously. The rich greens of the canopy are just beginning to fade, though still remain majestic; soon the colour will change, marking the fall and winters approach. That said, the dappled light of the fading Sun that dances through the canopy is rich and mellow, the stands of the forest have a fairytale glow. I was surprised that the stream wasn't higher after the recent down pours, though I know that as autumn goes on crossing it will soon be restricted to the bridges and a handful of potential jumping spots. Of course, said 'jumping spots' could, and sometimes are, more accurately described as 'dunking spots'. That's part of the fun.  Everything appears mellowed in the forest now, the jobs all but done and soon it'll be time to turn in for a deserved rest.  Just the mushrooms and the fruits to go and then shamansburys (a Mighty Boosh reference) will be closed until spring. Deer, cattle and the forest ponies busy themselves eating for the more barren coming season, as I should imagine are the rest of the forest inhabitants. Soon it'll be panage and the pigs will be loosed, always fun. A rested awhile amongst some ancient leviathans, enjoyed a brew and watched the forest do what the forest does; what lovely time of year.

Today was also a fruitful forage. I collected enough Ceps (boletus edulis), Oysters (Pleurotus ostreatus) and Hedgehogs (Hydnum repandum) for a few meals. Which was nice. I collected the Hedgehogs from a spot that can often supply them early in the season, before they show elsewhere, and in good quantities. All in all a very rewarding roam.