April 27th – A brief loop around Brownhills, and I spotted this charming floof on a garden fishing platform just near anchor bridge.
Peacefully watching life go by, this gorgeous tabby would not turn to look at me for ages, so engrossing was it’s neighbourhood watch shift.
Always nice to see a puss when out and about. And this was a very gorgeous one!
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December 8th – I headed back to Brownhills along the canal back towards Catshill Junction, which on the way passes the beautiful view of Hammerwich across the fields of Newtown and Ogley Hay.
I notice now the fields, trees and hedgerows are very brown and lifeless-looking although there seems to be a crop down of some sort.
It will be some months before the gorgeous green comes around again, which always makes me sad.
But this is a beautiful view, whatever the time of year, it has to be said.
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#365daysofbiking Prolific:
October 10th – The fungus is really coming forth now, but it’s interesting to note that while some species are booming, others I’m used to seem scarce this year.
I’ve not seen many glistening ink caps, puffballs, or fly agaric – certainly not in their usual number. I’ve yet to see my favourite Japanese parasols. this is curious, or it might just be me jumping the gun.
Whilst in Telford today I noticed that there are loads of is paxillus involutus, the brown roll-rim, and these tiny, delicate caps I don’t recognise but may be ink caps of some kind. But none of the regulars.
I wonder if this is connected with the hot, dry summer?
September 26th – Despite the colder, more inclement weather, the catroplis of Scarborough Road in Walsall continues to introduce new characters. This absolutely tiny, beautifully shaggy mature tabby was doing it’s best to ignore the nutty cycling guy but couldn’t resit a sniff from the safety underneath a nearby car.
And what a gorgeous set of whiskers!
October 14th – I’ve noticed in the last three days or so that autumn has finally arrived, painting her beautiful colours on the trees, hedgerows and landscape. I guess it’s the fact that the temperature has suddenly dropped, but now there can be no doubt we’re careering toward the shorter days, darker nights and colder weather – even though some late summer flowers are still remarkably holding on.
Holding on like I do.
Every year, I get to this point and wonder if I can face another season of darkness – the absence of light and growth and leaves I hate so much. But every year, as if jumping into a cold lake, once I stop struggling and fighting it, the dreaded experience becomes quite enjoyable.
There’s no stopping it now, in any case.
November 25th – Spotted on a damp Darlaston canal towpath just after daybreak, this tiny toadstool. It was alone, and looked almost pristine – I have no idea what it is and would appreciate suggestions. Key is the dimple on top of the cap; this is a delicate and tiny orange-brown fungi yet was outstanding enough to catch my eye as I passed at speed, so I felt it deserved recording for posterity.
November 4th – These are interesting little brown toadstools. I haven’t a clue what they are, and I’m curious. They are growing on the canal towpath near Bentley Bridge and I don’t think I’ve ever seen them before. Can’t find them in my book of fungi, either.
Anyone got any ideas, please?
September 8th – It’s nice to see the fungi coming through now – I love this feature of autumn. Many folk don’t realise, but toadstools, balls and polypores are just the bloom of much larger organisms living out of sight. They really are unlike anything else in nature.
This roll-rim was growing on a grass verge in Wednesbury and was about eight inches in diameter. They start flat and become funnel-shaped as they age: it was a misty, wet morning and this one was gathering condensation well.
November 1st – After Thursday’s blurry rat backside photo, I received a complaint from a reader who’s rat phobic. Sorry, Linda, but I quite like them, and they are a part of our wildlife. I’ll try not to spring rattus norvegicus on you again without warning.
I have suitably cautioned Linda about this post….
Rats and humans have a symbiotic relationship – they are intelligent, quick and scarily versatile adaptors, which has ensured their proliferation and survival, and despite their carrying of disease and filth, it is without doubt that without these guys cleaning up after us the human race would probably have died out by now.
Today I was riding back from the supermarket, and this healthy specimen was just on the towpath near Pratts Mill Bridge in Leamore. Braver than most, it hung around as I took its photo, before it darted for safety into the reeds next to me.
What I hadn’t seen was Mr. Whiskers looking sternly on from nearby. Rat for tea, possibly…
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 