Oh to be a Fungi

It's a great time of year for Fungi. Today is the first day for a while where we've had no rain so I decided to pop out and do a bit more fungi hunting.

I went to Dinedor woods and hill fort. I have photographed 15 to 20 different fungi up there so far. I have only managed to positively ID a few of them, I will put names of those I believe I have identified with the corresponding picture.

Haresfoot Inkcap:

Black Bulgar aka Rubber Buttons,

Southern Bracket:

Birch Mazegill:

Chicken of the woods:

The rest I cannot positively ID at this time but they are worthy of a look.

A few others I haven't put up because I think they are repeats of what are here but in different stages. I have spent over 4 hrs looking at books and the internet trying to positively ID all of these Fungi and am not confident to stick my neck out and sayt what I think they are. God only knows how much time it must take to become an expert at ID'ing the many species there are.

I've enjoyed crawling around on my hands and knees in damp conditions getting some of these pics. It's been great when there hasn't been the weather conditions to do anyuthing else.

Weather is going to settle at the weekend the weather woman said this evening. Just as well as I'm heading north to spread mum and dads ashes and meet up with my siblings.

Come back soon.

Butterflies, Dragonflies and Insects.

Has it been nearly a month since I posted last? My that has flown passed. It's continued to be a glorious summer and I have tried to make the most of it. A few species have filled most of my time as the title suggests. Lets start with the dragonflies.

Predominantly Migrant Hawker, with a Common Darter thrown in at the top.
The butterflies have been great, I have had my best shots ever of Common Blue this year, there was definitely a proliferation of them at the end of August.

But also some other stunners too.

Red Admiral

and Painted Lady.

The latter two types were actually photographed this week at the Bodenham Lake Nature reserve.

On the insect front,

Field Grasshopper,

 Tachina Fera fly,

 



Forest shield bug,

Hawthorn shield bug,

 



Meadow Grasshopper,

A Water Beetle,

and the favourite shot is of this Wood Ant, one of about half a dozen farming Aphids on a small sapling in Haugh Wood.

I've got a shed load of Fungi shots to put up next time, I'm having difficulty ID'ing them though, it's not as easy as you might think. Come back soon. I won't leave it so long. I am guessing that the weather will be turning very soon so more time to do the blog. Click on Pic for bigger version.

Back in the Shire.

The move back to Herefordshire has been completed and I have quickly settled in to getting out and about with the camera. The new camera I hasten to add. Canon, of course, 5D mk 3. What a beauty it is. I haven't quite worked out all of its settings yet, nor have I tried video but I have a good working knowledge. I am impressed with the noise reduction at high ISO. I am mega impressed with the extra pixels. So much more detail in my shots than before.

Grasshopper:

and another:

A shield bug or two.

and a few other creepy crawlies.

A flesh fly and a Deraeocoris Ruber.

Also a few butterflies, starting with these lovely shots of a marbled white.

also a rather smart Painted Lady.

and a Small Copper.

Not a bad collection I hope you would agree. Come back soon and click on the pics for a larger image.

Long hot Fortnight

It has been incredibly hot hasn't it? The kind of weather that makes photography difficult. If you haven't done what you want by lunchtime you are better off waiting till early evening as the light is so harsh during the early afternoon.

On one day out this last week or so I took over 130 frames. With the exception of about 5 or 6 all were deleted on my return home due to not looking quite right.

It's been a few weeks of butterfly and dragonfly photography with a few other bits thrown in.

4 spotted Chaser,

Black Tailed Skimmer,

Banded Demoiselle,

and finally, Emperor.

On the butterfly front I added.

Small Skipper,

and Meadow Brown.

 

I have taken a few bird shots just recently too. I was at Burton Mere RSPB reserve hoping to do dragonflies when this little beaut popped up infront of the hide.

I was also out one evening with the dog, again looking for dragonflies which were none existent. But decided to have a go at the House Martins that were sweeping over the corn. I only had the 70-200mm lens with me but I'm quite pleased with the results.

The highlight of this posting though isn't wild birds, dragonflies or butterflies. Its captive birds. The village had its annual fete on sat 13th and this year there was a bird of prey display. Absolutely fabulous, I even got involved. I had the glove on and the Harris Hawk came to me. Its a fabulous experience the Harris Hawk is quite a large bird. Very intimidating.

The display involved getting the Harris to take food thrown to it in mid flight. I managed the two following shots.

I'm still not sure of the rights or wrongs of keeping such birds in captivity, but still a fabulous occurrence.

Lets hope the weather continues for a while yet.

On the personal front, I am on the move again. Hopefully on or very near to the 26th July. It's a move back to Hereford. At least for 6 months. So forgive me if there isn't a post for a couple of weeks now.

Click on the pics for larger versions.