Autumn Leaves

I haven't had many opportunities to get out with my camera recently so haven't had anything new to share.

This shot was taken in Delamere forest a few weeks ago. Although there were lots of leaves lying on the ground this lone leaf laying on a fallen tree seemed to stand out. I love the colours and different textures that give a real sense that autumn is now in full swing.

Pigeon River

Today I am sharing two views of Pigeon River from slightly different perspectives but both shots taken from just above the falls. As I said in my blog the other day (click here) this river forms the natural border between Canada (Ontario on the right) and the USA (Minnesota on the left). Although the river is quite wide and fast flowing it is probably possible when the river is low like this to wade across from one country to the other although you would have to negotiate some quite dense forest on either side. Unless of course you crossed near the falls and used the hiking trails on either side of the river.

I have seen some photos today however that show the falls after heavy rain and the water level is several feet higher and the volume of water rushing over the falls has dramatically increased. The spot where I was standing to shoot these images is now under water and there is dense spray at the bottom of the falls. The scene is far less tranquil than in these pictures and is a reminder of the powerful forces in nature that have shaped the landscape for millions of years.

Huntsman's Cottage

So although I have called this a Huntsman's cottage it is probably more likely a game keepers cottage but set in the wooded parkland it could be either.

I like the first shot in black and white, I think it is really atmospheric and you can almost picture this as a haunted house. 

Shot from a different angle the picture looks so much better in colour with the autumn colours and the way the building is framed by the trees.

Autumnal Colours

Autumn is a great time to capture the fantastic colours all around as the season changes and we move closer to winter. A walk in the woods at this time of year presents a riot of greens, yellows, oranges and shades of brown and just about everything in between.

Recently at Dunham Massey I took a few pictures of the fallen leaves. In the first of today's images I thought it would look most striking in monochrome making the pale leaf stand out in stark contrast to the dark and leathery background.

In the second shot I have used a selective colour technique (something I have had fun experimenting with before) to really bring out the rich and vibrant colours of the fallen leaves.

I think both techniques work really well and I love both of these images, I hope that you do too.

All Is Revealed

So yesterday I posted a puzzler and invited you to identify a flower from its fabulous central curls. 

Well over 150 people have looked at the image but not one has been able to identify what it was so here to solve the mystery are two more images. Can you tell what it is now?

Of course it is a cyclamen, one of my favourite flowers.

Come back tomorrow for some more great pics from my woodland walk.

Mystery Flower

So this is a greatly enlarged image of a favourite woodland flower. But can you tell what it is?

I love the way the inner petals curl back, they almost look like spools of cotton and the dark  pink adds depth and contrast.

It may be quite difficult to identify so I will give you a clue...

These flowers generally appear through the woodland floor before the leaves, curling upwards on spindly stems.

Please leave a comment if you think you know what it is. I will reveal the answer tomorrow.

Fanning Out

I spotted this fern during a walk at Brock Bottom recently, I like the way it has opened out to welcome the sun and how it is lit up. 

Coriolus versicolor

If you follow my blog you will know I like a good fungus and I am always on the lookout. This is a decent specimen of a bracket fungus, I love the variegated colours and the wavy texture of the fungus and I love the texture of the dead wood. This is a really good time of year for spotting fungi and I am hoping that I will get plenty of opportunities to go out and get some more great pictures.

A Forest Walk

Here are a few shots taken along the High Bowkerstead Trail in Grizedale Forest. I think the theme that joins all these pictures together would be "holding on".

The first shot of the last remaining section of dry stone wall along part of the trail.  It leans precariously and seems like it could fall down the steep bank at any time. 

The second and fourth pictures show some of the bright foliage still clinging tenaciously to the branches when so many of the trees around are almost completely bare of leaves. I love the brilliant yellow and in the final shot I love the contrast of the lime green leaves and the dark of the trunk and branches.

The third picture of the raindrop clinging tightly to the bud on the end of its twig was quite a challenge.  The wind constantly moving the branches threatened to dislodge the droplet at any moment, it also made it hugely difficult to get the reflected trees in focus so I am quite pleased with the result.

On The Forest Floor

I was disappointed when I was woken up this morning with the sound of heavy rain as I had hoped to get out with my camera. I checked the forecast and although it wasn't all that promising I decided to head up to Grizedale Forest in the Lake District where I was sure that regardless of the weather there would be some good photo opportunities, and of course I was hoping for some good autumn colours.

Although the title of today's blog is "On The Forest Floor" in the first of the pictures the vivid green moss was actually growing atop a low stone wall. I love the structure of the moss, each individual plant with its tender leaves funneling water down to the roots and the rest of the colony of plants, and the fresh green colour particularly as the trees around are changing colour and shedding their leaves.

The second picture shows a small segment of the massive carpet of leaves which was a riot of amber, gold and yellow.

The final picture is my favourite of the three.  I saw the tree stump which initially had some fallen leaves laying on top but I could see the  rusty colouring of the wood shining through so I cleared the leaves away to reveal the rough cut surface. There is actually so much in this picture that I like but I will let you decide what you like about it.