I again ventured into the forest to photograph mushrooms. There were a variety to be seen. I especially noticed one kind, that I later identified as the “Deathcap” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_phalloides. According to the news there is an unusual large number of these this year. After lots of bending and kneeling, I got a number of acceptable pictures. The tilting screen on my camera came in very useful for photographing at low angles. this group particularly appealed to me. I feel that it speaks so well of the autumn forest.
Last year we planted wild flowers at the edge of our Veggie garden. They came up again this year and in spite of two month of draught they are still struggling on.
We have always done a lot to get the birds to visits our garden. Several years ago families of Great Spotted Woodpeckers visited my special constructed “Woody” pole. Magpies moved in and the Woodpeckers and other birds became fewer. Early one morning a couple of weeks ago, we were lying in bed with our cup of Tea, when we heard a Woodpecker in one of the dead branches in our old plum tree. I have specially left the many dead branches on the deceased tree to encourage the birds. Between us we managed to get the camera and take several pictures of this female Great Spotted Woodpecker. As can be seen, from the flying dust, she was hard at work. She came back a few more times, but lately we haven’t seen her. but we have seen plenty of signs of her
In 2007 we returned to South Africa for a three weeks visit. A good deal of that time we spent in game reserves. It was in the Mkuze reserve in the northern part of KwaZulu Natal that we came across a, not much used, observation platform. from There we saw several Pied Kingfishers. I found them totally fascinating and have often since thought of spending time just making a project of photographing them. Camera Nikon D2X Lens Nikon 200 – 400 mm
Years ago we had a garden full of birds. A large variety came to the feeders. The Great Spotted Woodpeckers brought their young to the poles I installed and charged with peanuts. Then the Magpies moved in and every thing changed. They constantly raid the feeders and rob the nest of eggs and youngsters. This young male woodpecker is from happy years.
Field of gold It should just have been the typical Swedish Easter with spring in the air, but nature has it’s own way and snow covered the countryside. Roads became difficult to drive on and the field where we saw hay made in summer became a sheet of gold as the sun set. Nikon D300 at 18mm
In Denmark It is still miserably cold and it looks as if is going to continue. Luckily in our parts we have escaped the snow, whilst other parts have been hit badly. About half an hour ago I stood looking at the birds in the garden when this little Wren came along spending a good time on a rose bush.
I discovered it by chance on the net and we determined to look for it when next in London. Phoenix Garden https://www.facebook.com/thephoenixgarden/ is situated between Soho and Covent Garden. We found it after some searching. It is a little oasis in the middle of the busy city.It is bordered by Large apartment buildings, The Church of St. Giles in the Fields and the Phoenix Theatre, and yet is utterly peaceful. It is purposely laid out to encourage wildlife and insects, with dense bushes and the odd pile of bricks. Frogs spawn in a little pond and comfortable benches invite visitors to rest in peaceful surroundings. We have returned there many times
