Rather Wet……

A Rather Wet Big Wood, Allestree

Something rather unusual this morning…its rather wet to say the least.  Rain is something that has been very sparse this summer, so todays heavy rains have definitely been a shock to the system.  But I guess its not all bad news….we do need the rain and it also  makes a refreshing change for the mornings woodland walk.

The damp has also produce some Fungi.  For October we should have seen much more, all our old favourites like Fly Agaric, you know the red one the woodland fairies and elves sit on have yet to appear. But this season so far fungi is few and far between…

Autumn has really to bight in our woods, the greens are still king.  So for awhile longer we can still enjoy a sparkling wood…the rain has just added a touch more sparkle.

 

Once we get a few days of real cold and the odd frost then these woods will magically change there colours…. but lets make the most of what we have right now…it ain’t half bad…. and for October a bonus 🙂

6th October

(C) David Oakes 2018

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It is Changing …….

Change is on the way..

Although summer still has many more days instore for us there is no doubt that the days are starting later and finishing earlier…..  that sun is drifting south and giving us mornings and evenings of longer shadows.

The wet spring and heatwave summer has played many tricks on our plants. We have a Rose that normally only produces flowers the once, so this year it has been a bonus producing a flower on 3 occasions… a real bonus even if the later flowers have not been as vibrant or strong.  Berries are forming and Sweet Chestnuts are prolific, hopefully giving us a good crop of nuts in a few weeks time. As for the recent rains, well they didn’t amount to much but did rejuvenate flowers like Geraniums. The river is still low and calm, even though the weir runs white. The year is progressing and autumn will arrive in due course…in the meantime we have that late summer where the light is low, warm and kind.

Ideal evenings for a jog in the Park  (if of course you are that way inclined)

If not then walk the dog…or just put your feet up and relax   🙂

24th August

(C) David Oakes 2018

 

 

Fresher…..

The start of the week followed a similar pattern of drizzle, some wind but mainly sunshine…..just a lot cooler. The Lake looked fresh in the morning sunshine but the waters had that murky look from the past heat and disturbance from the rains.

What did look rather fine is the new Lilly patch planted by the Angling Club. that and other plantings of wildlife friendly flora is making a world of difference…

The fresh morning feel was much more noticeable in our woodland.  Bracken and Ferns that have been suffering in the drought have a new lease on life adding a green hue to the darker woods…all together an invigorating walk….

 

It is now August so there is no denying that the year is progressing, seed heads are now the norm for some of our wild flowers though some others are still doing there best to add colour..

Harvesting is still ongoing creating yet another seasonal dimension…

But those signs of an approaching autumn which may well be early this year are appearing as a reminder that the summer has been so dry…maybe a period of prolonged rain may revitalise everything….

3rd August

(C) David Oakes 2018