Fernworthy Forest
Various flies (mottled thistle, spotted thintail, yellow-winged bristleshin, grey-spotted sedgesitter, yellow-barred peat hoverfly, ladder-backed hoverfly), dragonflies (golden-ringed, keeled skimmer, four-spotted skimmer), butterflies (large skipper, peacock, meadow brown, chimney-sweeper), damselflies (large red, common blue), redstart, star sedge, foxgloves etc. Apologies for the red deer – but it was a dramatic part of today’s walk – so makes the cut.
Also, a blusher, regarding which Wikipedia says “The blusher is the common name for several closely related species of the genus Amanita. Blushers are difficult to distinguish from similar species, but one identifying feature is the pink bruising. The mushroom is edible and tasty” – I thought about eating a toadstool which was difficult to distinguish from other amanitas but gave it a miss!
Quite why I chose to amble around during the only time in the last few days when there have been heavy showers is a mystery. I’ve taken advice and bought a polarising filter – whether it makes a difference is also a mystery. I expect I’ll work out how to use it eventually.
