Grey Dagger

This is the caterpillar of the Grey dagger moth, named because of the bold dagger shaped markings on its wings. The moth has a wide range, across Europe, North Africa. Iran, Asia  Siberia and Mongolia, among other places.

An alternate variety is the dark dagger and the caterpillar of the dark dagger moth lacks the distinctive horn in this variety.

This one was busy stocking up on food so that it can over winter as a pupa before emerging in the spring as a beautiful moth.

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.

Just Chillin'

The other day I posted two versions of the same image one in colour the other in  black and white and the consensus seems to be that the colour image is the better of the two. I know it is subjective and personally I think the black and white is more effective but I have to accept that I may be alone in that.

Anyway I also pointed out that there were a couple of deer in the pictures but they were pretty difficult to spot so here is a picture that I took of one of them.

Deer photos have been something of a talking point recently with people getting up close and taking selfies potentially putting themselves at risk of harm as the rutting season begins. I am lucky that I can get pictures like this without getting too close and so I don't spook the deer but here at Dunham Massey in spite of signs warning the public that the deer are wild animals and potentially dangerous there were many people including families with toddlers approaching the deer taking stupid risks. As much as I love these creatures I think I would rather stay on the safe side.

Fungi Forest

Today after a work visit in Derbyshire I took a brief detour on my way home for a walk in Macclesfield Forest. I was again looking for autumn colours but it is mostly coniferous forest so I focused more on what was below my feet.

As I am colour blind I often have trouble spotting things and will often rely on whoever is with me to point things out and I am always grateful for that but today as I was on my own I had to search for myself. I have no idea how many opportunities I missed but I was quite pleased that I managed to spot a number of varieties of fungi, even really small and well hidden ones which I will share in the coming weeks mixed up with some of the other shots I have yet to post.

I thought the fungus in today's pictures is a variety of xylaria or Candlestick Fungus but doing a little more research I think it is actually a variety of Hymenoscyphus or cup fungus. If you know exactly what it is then feel free to comment. I have seen this variety growing of rotting fence posts and here is is on a mossy log in a very shaded spot.