THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

21 October 2013

FABULOUS FUNGI


As promised, here are the results of a stroll through our neighbours' woods. Actually, it's more shelter belt than woods, running along the edge of the peninsula of land on which we live. I am reliably informed that these pines were only planted twenty five years ago or so, but they tower, rustle and flex in the gale force winds up here on the moor. Ugly they may be, but they serve a very good purpose and in their shadow lie all these specimens and more that the auto-focus failed to do its job on but I failed to notice thanks to middle aged sight issues - grrrrr. I won't embarrass myself by even guessing at the ones I'm not sure about. Fly Agaric above obviously....




Much more mature Fly Agaric above and a little colony below







Yellow Staghorn

It's been raining now for 48 hours and looks set to do so for the foreseeable future. Very depressing as I watch the road the council spent thousands re-doing over the spring and summer being washed away before my eyes. In their wisdom, they seem to have reduced the camber which means we are now driving through lakes as opposed to being able to dodge between one-sided puddles. It is not good. Too bad for cameras at present but I'll try later in the week. Here are some more photos since the last post. 


One of those lone pine escapees waiting for Christmas


Grooming foals

I moved the bird feeding station back yesterday; I've been really missing having them close by and being able to photograph them. Here are some Sparrows in the pelting rain today:




I also spotted these Fieldfare in the Rowan tree today. Sorry they're not great but it was raining (obviously) and through a rather dirty window. 




Three lots of cards sold so far - thank you! Also, a flush of new followers which is lovely. Welcome and thank you too. OB has been ill over the weekend and I've had him at home all day off school so I'm really behind with everything. A short one tonight and until next time, here's Jack, who I'm trying to catch doing his meerkat impression in the long grass, unsuccessfully so far; this is as close as I've got: grass nicely in focus, Jack sweetly blurry. 



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49 comments:

  1. Jane and Chris21 October 2013 at 22:18

    You seem to have prolific fungi where you live! I've never seen a Fieldfare before,they look so like our fledgling American robins I had to do a double take.
    Jane x

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 10:08

      They're quite big, like a big thrush....same family. I love your Robins too.

      Delete
  2. Kath21 October 2013 at 22:20

    they are amazing, I LOVE the yellow stag horn.

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 10:09

      The only reason I know the name is because it's so obvious!

      Delete
  3. rusty duck21 October 2013 at 22:36

    Something's been nibbling those fungi..
    I went out today and my boot sunk six inches in the mud. I have a feeling we're past the point of it drying out and my gardening season is at an end. Don't you just love the South West.

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 10:09

      What were we thinking of moving here? The disgusting black slugs have been seen nibbling them; they'll eat anything.

      Delete
  4. angryparsnip21 October 2013 at 23:10

    Lovely photos but can't stand fungi just too icky.
    But in the fairytale books they are just fine. How weird am I ?
    I tried to order some cards but had a problem on my side I think will try again.
    I love when you said the rain and dirty windows are in the way... your photos always looks just fine

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 10:11

      I think they'd be better if I got out with the window cleaning thingy Parsnip. Thanks for ordering the cards - I'll get them into the post tomorrow.

      Delete
  5. Tom Stephenson21 October 2013 at 23:34

    Shame about the Boletus Edulis found a bit too late to eat.

    I tried Fly Agaric once, and it is an experience which - though not to be recommended at all - was very interesting. I had superhuman strength at the same time as the knowledge that I would shit myself if I was not too careful.

    All this was almost worth the expectation of 'coma' if I exceeded an unspecified dose, but I got away with it. A once-only experiment.

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 10:13

      Thank you for experiencing it for me so I don't have to. I've often wondered what a nibble might produce and clearly the lavatorial would be preferable to the coma.

      Delete
  6. Willow21 October 2013 at 23:40

    Jack does make a meerkat face doesn't he !

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 10:13

      It's when he stands on his back legs looking for me or Snippet that it's at its best.

      Delete
  7. HappyK22 October 2013 at 00:50

    So many colors and shapes those fungi come in. Cool pictures of them.

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  8. Gail H. Ragsdale22 October 2013 at 01:14

    You really have the interesting fungi!

    I've never seen a fieldfare before. Love seeing the ponies!

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 10:14

      I'm hoping to see more Fieldfare as we go through the winter. You might remember the huge flocks last year.

      Delete
  9. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"22 October 2013 at 06:48

    You have a fine and interesting blog which I will enjoy following. Too bad about the rain but it looks as though it hasn't finished just yet.

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 10:16

      It's still torrential today John. The kayak at the end of the garden may be more useful than we thought!

      Delete
  10. Elizabeth22 October 2013 at 07:37

    It's lovely to see such lovely fungi and scenes even with this incessant rain we seem to be having for the last few days. Love the picture of the lone pine; that hill is just asking to be walked. The yellow stag horn is so pretty, haven't seen that on my walks so must look more closely next time. The fungi above the stag horn looks lovely, as if it's been toasted.

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 10:18

      I love the Staghorn too; easy to spot, even in the gloom!

      Delete
  11. Margaret Birding For Pleasure22 October 2013 at 08:59

    Hi Em Fantasttic close ups of the fungi. Loved the Sparrows munching on the prridge adn the shotof the ponies

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  12. Wendy22 October 2013 at 10:22

    Wonderful fungi photos. The detail is fascinating. I love the Sparrows and the Fieldfares, too - none here yet. And gorgeous Jack - does he leap up high through the grass? Hope OB is feeling much better now.

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 10:25

      He does leap up high through the grass but I've yet to catch that moment despite many attempts.....one day. OB is back at school today but I'm expecting a phone call later!

      Delete
    2. angryparsnip23 October 2013 at 03:03

      Em... I'm jumping in here. I read the all the comments.
      Does your camera have a movie button ? If you do you can film him jumping and down load it and go through it frame by frame. I don't have a great program just Picasa but that is how I get some of my lighting shots.

      cheers, parsnip

      Delete
    3. Em Parkinson23 October 2013 at 11:33

      Good idea Parsnip - I'll check if I'll go and look at Picasa - thank you.

      Delete
  13. Ragged Robin22 October 2013 at 10:44

    Great photos and a wonderful selection of fungi :) Nice to see the Fieldfares are back - I saw a small flock last week :) Hope OB is better soon.

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 10:50

      Thanks RR. Nice to hear there are lots of the Fieldfare about.

      Delete
  14. Cindy@NorthofWiarton22 October 2013 at 11:09

    I love the fungi photos, as all your photos really.

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 11:21

      Thanks Cindy - how did you sleep last night? x

      Delete
  15. Anonymous22 October 2013 at 14:18

    Lovely mushies. I especially like the frilly orangey one which I haven't seen down here. And those are the first fieldfares I've seen this autumn :-)

    ps- I am going to be in your neck of the woods in May with uni for a field trip. I wondered if time allowed whether we might be able to meet up for a coffee? No idea of schedule yet but I'll email you nearer the time x

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 14:32

      I'd not seen it before either.....would love to meet up in May; I'll await your schedule....

      Delete
  16. Melody22 October 2013 at 18:23

    I'm new to your place here in Blogland, thanks to a tip from a friend....
    LOVE the scenery, and dogs and horses and art.... and the fabulous mushrooms!
    Cameras are funny now a days... THEY like to do the deciding on what to focus on....or not. :)))))))
    Glad to have found you!

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 19:23

      Hi Melody - lovely to have you following. I find I go places I would never see when visiting people's blogs and have met so many lovely people over the last year and a half. Any money from drawing is going into a pot to buy a camera with manual focus I think!

      Delete
  17. Down by the sea22 October 2013 at 18:53

    Hi Em, Thank you for joining me and it is a delight to follow you and see views of Dartmoor. We have been to the same holiday cottage outside Tavistock 15 times over 15 years and we always aim to get a walk on Dartmoor ,sometimes the fog and rain has stopped us but we always try! We love the wildness on the landscape.
    Sarah x

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    1. Em Parkinson22 October 2013 at 19:26

      Hi Sarah and thank you for joining me too. I wonder where that cottage is? I love the moor over that side too, although it's very different from our bit; bleaker I think but just as beautiful. Shame about the swimming pool in Tavistock though....see previous post for hair related horror.

      Delete
    2. Down by the sea25 October 2013 at 08:54

      The cottage is at Chillton. It sounds you had a dreadful experience at Tavistock Pool uck!
      Sarah x

      Delete
  18. Anonymous23 October 2013 at 09:43

    Fabulous indeed, I just love looking at fungi pics :-) I gave up long ago trying to identify the vast majority of these all too transient organisms but I always like to see them at this time of year, especially such beauties like the Fly Agaric which I personally think needs a much more attractive name ! Good to see that the Fieldfares are back in your neck of the woods (or should that be neck of the moors) :-)

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    1. Em Parkinson23 October 2013 at 11:35

      It's not an attractive name is it,I agree. I saw a big flock of Fieldfares driving home just now, all taking off at the same time - beautiful.

      Delete
  19. SeagullSuzie23 October 2013 at 09:53

    Lovely to see Fieldfares Em. Yes had absolutely rubbish weather here too with very high winds. Love that lone pine and Jack in the grass.

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    1. Em Parkinson23 October 2013 at 11:36

      On the strength of the forecast this morning, I went and fed Trigger without waterproof trousers, and in the coat I intended to wear at a meeting at school. BIG mistake....I got completely drenched!

      Delete
  20. Lou Mary23 October 2013 at 13:26

    Great fly agaric specimens! I haven't managed to get any photos of them yet. Must go on a fly agaric search! Superb photo of the yellow staghorn!!

    Jack does look a sweetie! Bracken does an excellent seal impression sometimes. I need to try and capture it!

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    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson23 October 2013 at 13:28

      I just never have the camera ready at the right moment. A non digital one would be quicker actually!

      Delete
  21. The Three Muleteers23 October 2013 at 18:07

    Great post Em, I learnt a lot, thank you! Let's hope this weather is not the sign of things to come.... our road is going the same way :(

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  22. Em Parkinson23 October 2013 at 18:22

    Are you inundated with Witches' Butter all over the gorse? It's everywhere here since it's rained.

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  23. Elizabeth Musgrave23 October 2013 at 20:03

    What great photos of all your fungi. Your fly agaric and mine are brothers I think!

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    1. Em Parkinson24 October 2013 at 10:41

      Not that classic looking are they? I always get them before and after the fairy tale phase!

      Delete
  24. Anonymous25 October 2013 at 13:13

    Nice selection of fungi there, Em. I`m hoping to get out tomorrow and find a few for myself.

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    1. Em Parkinson25 October 2013 at 14:26

      It's been too long.....remember your camera!

      Delete

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