Vole

I always carry my compact camera when I walk but often in the woods, for wildlife close up, it struggles to focus on the thing I want it to. If there is even a blade of grass between me and the subject it will want to focus on that! Today was one of those days when I wished I had my 'big camera' with me. To be able to manually expose and focus on the little vole that we spotted peaking out of its hole would have taken this photo to a whole new level.

As it is though I was chuffed when my husband saw it dart down the hole and even more elated when we watched it gently inch closer to the entrance again, sniff the air, hesitate, sniff, and eventually poke it's head right out. I had to slowly manoeuvre myself to one side to get a clear view and I'm happy with the shot.  Note to self - take the Nikon next time!

The hunt for the fairy toadstool

I think I have written here before about my interest in photographing fungi. They do fascinate me the way they just appear, mysterious and surrounded by tales of goblins, poisons and fairies. The obvious 'fairy toadstool' - the one of Brownie promises - is the Fly Agaric. Easily recognisable with its red and white cap starting bulbous and scarlet and eventually opening out flat in a faded orange. It screams danger and rightly so!

As the autumn gets a full hold we start to check out known areas for these very photogenic mushrooms. Sometimes we are lucky, other years we may be too early or too late. Sometimes we are rewarded with a newly emerged. It is a complete thrill to find them and even better if they are in an easily accessible spot.

This year we found a couple early on and then a few weeks later, thinking they were probably over, we almost missed the third one.

The Fly Agaric, forever my fairy toadstool.