Brandon Trees in the Rain

A series of Beech and Pine studies, mostly taken on Sunday in the pouring rain. The greens still dominate although there are some parts where the leaves and bracken are beginning to turn. This rainy spell should ensure we get some good autumn colours this year.

Second Day at Brandon in Continuous Rain

After a morning walk with Peter, Holly and Bracken, I changed my already sodden coat and spent a few more hours finding and photographing fungi. Many of the colours were much brighter in the wet and low light conditions. I was pleased to photograph good specimens of the Amethyst Deceiver, ??, a Collared Earthstar, False Death Cap (Amanita citrina) and a Ramaria coral fungus

Fungi at Brandon

The recent (and continuing ) wet weather has certainly resulted in a great number of fungi emerging though they are getting very quickly nibbled. Here some more complete specimens including some impressive slime mould fruiting bodies on an old beech log. All except slime mould taken with Fuji compact 23mm lens.

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Creative woodlands AKA Poor Camera Control

I was using my Fuji compact camera yesterday to shoot fungi with its very sensitive screen control. as I returned it to my neck, I obviously touched the screen on a few occasions where I hadn't turned the camera off. I like these 10 examples - I am sure I can't repeat any deliberately.

Playing with Lighting Fungi at Wandlebury

Despite all the rain, fungi were in pretty short supply at Wandlebury but I found a few to practise different lighting set ups (flash, gels and continuous LED). The minute spider was obviously attracted  (or disturbed) by the underneath lighting and got in on the act. The gills of a large bracket on a beech tree reminded me of the fan vaulting in King's college Chapel but so much more intricate.