There is a definite feeling of Autumn in the air. Chillier mornings, quickly darkening evenings, gorgeous skies, brisk winds tossing and turning fallen leaves, trees turning gold and bronze.
We walked in Trentham Gardens on Wednesday, as we set out around the lake there was damp in the air. It took a while to clear and then the sun appeared for what seemed like the first time in ages.
The walk was mostly fungi spotting which is always a fun and interesting thing to do.
I'm not sure what they all are but I know that the red ones are Fly Agaric toadstools and the round ones are puff balls. In the bottom photo the fungi looks a bit like poached eggs.
I recently received a most wonderful gift. A dear friend often sends me links to the Guardian Country Diary, especially if the notes are about places we know or animals and birds we love. They are always a joy to read.
Inside was a recently published book of the best of the Guardian's Country Diary from 2018 to 2024. It has an introduction by the wonderful Ian McMillan. How to read the book? From beginning to end? Dip in? Or read with the seasons? I decided on the latter and so my bookmark is in October. Thank you, both of you, for you kindness.
What a good haul of fungi, all so different and harbingers of Autumn. It looks like you have some pretty Autumn trees where you are, not so much here just yet. What a lovely surprise to receive the Country Diary, perfect for the nature lover! 😊
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of wonderful fungi around the lake and up in the gardens, they are offering guided fungi walks this year. I'm going to enjoy reading and savouring each entry as the months move on:)
DeleteI was standing out in the garden at 8.30 this morning in my pj's pegging the bedding on the line, it was a tadge cold but they are almost dry now. My windows also need cleaning, but they will wait for another day. Xx
ReplyDeleteBrr, that sounds chilly but it was such a good drying day. we both really dislike cleaning windows so I'm afraid they get left too long:)
DeleteDirty windows here too. Bother the sunlight. I would read that book seasonally too. Enjoy :)
ReplyDeleteI love the sun but it does expose our neglect in the cleaning of the windows. I'm going to enjoy reading the book:)
DeleteYou spotted some great fungi Rose. I can't identify many tbh (so many look so similar!) but I especially enjoy seeing Fly Agaric and Puffballs. I'd love to see some Waxcaps. What a lovely gift and I would read it seasonally too. I've noticed the leaves on trees are starting to change colour here too - it can be a lovely time of year if only the rain would stop. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteI'm not great with fungi, I think I see turkey tails too but most are unidentified, Paul knows much more about them. The book is a lovely gift and I'm going to read a little each day, each month. We've had a couple of dry days here but I think the rain is back tomorrow. We are hoping the lawns have dried out enough to be able to mow them before the next belt of rain sets in. You too have a good weekend:)
DeleteIt is lovely to see colour, albeit fungi as the weather changes. For me the mist and damp tells me it’s time to hibernate. I would recommend The Guardian’s ‘Country Diary’ to the world. Always perfection in just a few words.❤️🐰
ReplyDeleteStill a bit of colour in the garden with the flowers - sedum, heleniums and etc, yes stay in and keep warm and well, thank you once again - we will both enjoy reading as they month goes on:)
DeleteI love seeing all the different kinds of fungi during Autumn, though we have some now in places even though it is supposed to be Spring. Thanks for sharing, take care & hugs from Oz.
ReplyDeleteI hope as you move into Spring the weather warms up for you. Glad you enjoyed the fungi, take care:)
DeleteI very much like seeing all the fungi growing at this time of year. I don't the names of any other than the fly agaric. It's so distinctive.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds lovely!
The Fly Agaric are very distinctive, I love to see them. I've read a few diary notes for October already and am enjoying them:)
DeleteIt's an interesting time of the year now that we've moved into the Autumn season. I like the illustrations in your diary booklet.
ReplyDeleteYes, lots of lovely colour still to enjoy. The book has a different woodcut illustration for each month. I liked the October fox:)
DeleteI love seeing your fungi photos even if I couldn't identify them. There are some beautiful specimens. Enjoying reading the articles in your new book. It sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThere is such a lot of fungi around at the moment expecially around the lake at Trentham, we also have some here at the top of the garden, Paul can identify them better than I can. I'm enjoying the book:)
DeleteDays are colder here too.
ReplyDeleteI expect your days are far colder than ours at the moment:)
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