An Enchanted Place

along the byways and the bridleways,

the dirt tracks and the back lanes,

discover a landscape of old England

divorced from nationalistic jingoism;

a landscape that welcomes you home

On day 114 of 365 Days Wild I ventured out for a wander around the local lanes, over the meadow and down to the little woodland beside the stream. I was, of course, keeping my eyes open for any little creatures or interesting growth as I went. Autumn has arrived, and the cloud covered skies and rainy weather have made their return.

There’s lots of ivy in the hedgerows that line the lanes, and it is currently in flower.

The wasps in particularly seen to be enjoying it. Usually I’m rather nervous about photographing wasps. They can become aggressive with little or no reason. These ones, however, were so engrossed in the ivy flowers that they barely responded to my presence at all.

There was also what I think might be a White-lipped snail (Cepaea hortensis) and an orange fly that may be Thricops diaphanus, though Phaonia pallida are very similar in appearance.

Once I was in the meadow and little woodland I spent most of my time hunting for fungi. It was a very good day for it. I’ve not yet managed to identify these brown and white toadstools, but there are lots of them about. Many are upside down or half muched, suggesting that they’re quite popular with the local wildlife.

I also haven’t identified these little clusters that I found in a tree stump beside the stream.

There were four new Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) toadstools under a tree. Unfortunately, they were very hard to get close enough to for photographing as the brambles were growing quite thickly around the area. I managed to get in for a few pictures, though.

I also spotted what I think is a Blusher toadstool (Amanita rudescens) on a meadow path.

As I walked home I noticed a large slug on the fallen leaves at the side of the path. I think it’s a Black slug (Arion ater).

That’s all for today. Have you spotted anything interesting while out and about recently?