
Pale Mushrooms and a Richness of Swallows

My sister and I were on a mushroom-spotting walk in and around Sunnyhurst Wood when we found these pale ones just above head height on an old beech tree. The tree has been struck by lightning and part of its canopy is dead and bare.
We weren’t planning to pick mushrooms, neither of us being able to identify them, just to see how many different types we could spot before the autumn leaves covered them. We found quite a lot, though no unusual colours, such as purples, and none of the elusive white spotted red ones I’d love to see. Most of the fungi were growing at the base of trees, on the ground or on fallen branches, and the ones in the trees were more often bracket or turkey-tail types so these seemed unusual, the luminous backlight showing them off well against the living half of the tree. Continue reading “Pale Mushrooms and a Richness of Swallows”
Insect-Friendly Plants: Zinnias

Zinnias are some of the most insect-friendly plants you can grow. Easy from seed, these cheerful annuals flower a few weeks after planting.

Wordless Wednesday: Floral Funfair

Live And Let Live?

We all love butterflies, don’t we?
Last year, my sweetheart grew garden peas because he knows my fondness for their sweet spheres of joy. He stripped the plants of caterpillars, chased off butterflies and eventually bought netting to throw over them. Unfortunately, he took the netting back to Mississippi. Continue reading “Live And Let Live?”
January Squares: Butterfly Alights

A gently fading hydrangea provides food and temporary cover for a butterfly which is camouflaged against it. Butterflies give themselves away by fluttering, which is no doubt what drew me to this one. Continue reading “January Squares: Butterfly Alights”
Cats Chasing Butterflies

I’ve been meaning to share this advertisement that decorates the gable end of The Cat Practice in New Orleans. If you love cats, the chances are, you’ll remember this and might just be curious enough to find out more. Continue reading “Cats Chasing Butterflies”
