45 RPM FUNGI

These over-ripe examples of blushing brackets look like old vinyl records stuck in a willow record rack.  The would have been horizontal when they formed but the branch must have twisted when it fell.

MORE FROST

 A cold fog keeps the frost crystals on hogweed and other meadow plants.  

     

The owner of this web is long dead but the artistry lives on, enhanced by Jack's icy fingers.

HARD CUSHIONS

 

Near post 16 in Filnore Woods I found these little cushions on an old Prunus tree. It's called the cushion fungus (Phellinus tuberculosus) but it's actually quite hard, not soft like a cushion.

It's found on Blackthorn, Plum and most frequently on Purple Prunus after heavy pruning or damage.

TRACKS AND TRACES

One good thing about all this mud is that you can see where someone has been before you.

Four toes with claws.

 Can you solve the riddle?  Are you a tracker?

This cloven hoof is a bit harder but it's not a sheep or a cow.

Photo: Simon Harding

DRUMMING IN THE WOODS

 Already the mating game is under way in the birdy world

Robins are pairing up and proclaiming their joint territory with song.

You may also hear wrens and great tits singing out.

But yesterday I was excited to hear the drumming of a great spotted woodpecker in Kington Grove just below the golf course.  Rather than announcing their claim to territory with song, they drum their beaks against a tree.  If it is hollow all the better as it makes a deeper and louder noise.  We even had one a couple of years ago, drumming on a pylon at Filnore Woods.  Heavy metal.

Photo credit: Paul

SPRIMROSES

Primroses announcing that Spring is on her way.

Petals are already a bit pecked - not only by the frost but also by birdy beaks - probably bullfinches'.

 

FROSTY MORNING

After a cloudless, moonlit night sunrise shows us a frosty world

Bramble leaves are crystallised 

And the grass is a bit too crunchy  ..  ..  ..

..  ..  ..  if you are a recently arrived lamb.