Duxford Fireworks

This is the first time (?recently) that Duxford IWM have run a firework evening so I am sure there were some nerves out there on the runway as they lit the first one but all went to plan with the customary big bang finale.

Lichens Paxton Pits

Lichens photographed in the Sanctuary at Paxton Pits, an area not open to the public right by the water and with lots of old hawthorns (and oaks) - ideal for lichen and fungal growth. Generally taken with a bit too slow shutterspeed for the amount of magnification so will repeat at some stage. IDs at end

 

Paxton East Scrub Fungi

Yesterday we decided to check on the fungi in East Scrub, a protected part of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve that we have worked on to encourage low scrub for breeding birds but it has also created a good habitat for toadtools with lots of dead wood, damp conditions and variable light.  Here a few images of the different species and a sheet with ID.

Birds in the Mist at Paxton

The thick mist at Toft had cleared a bit by the time I got to Paxton Pits this morning but the Pits still looked very atmospheric. Great to see signs that the next breeding season is not that far off -  two Great Crested Grebes are obviously a 'couple', a Heron perched on the branch next to this year's nest site and some of the Cormorants are adding a brilliant orange to the yellow facial marking indicating that the are starting to come into breeding state. Grey Wagtail reflected colours together with the Robin made great photographic subjects along with the White Egret and the dew drops in the spiders' webs.

Fungi at RSPB Sandy - Afternoon

 In the afternoon yesterday, we went down the steep stepped path into an area that is always good for fungi and spent time there searching out and photographing some very attractive species. I also got distracted taking focus stacks of this very hairy fly - Suillia species.