Woodland Fungi

The grassland fungi that are most interesting on Blacka are to be found in the pastures. They are mainly the waxcaps which delight through the brightness of their colouring. But the woods are also worth exploring. This one I've decided must be a Tricholoma, perhaps a toughshank. The others are Russulas yellow in colour in this case but again they can be quite colourful.

Autumn Moves In

Recent weeks have put paid to any hopes of a late summer, leaving a strong feeling of autumn on the hills.

Nestling in the wet grass are the tiny Liberty Cap mushrooms much favoured by those who crave hallucinatory experiences.



Further on more Meadow Waxcaps push through every day showing an astonishing variety of forms.


Bracken is already defeated and beginning to lie down scorched brown by the cool nights, leading to thoughts that we will soon be able to explore those parts made inaccessible by giant ferns.


We've now seen the last of the vibrant purple heather. The colour is always enjoyable when it comes but there's so much heather that we now face eleven months of expanses of unrelieved dull brown across much of northern England.

Is it worth it, especially when you consider that masses of public money goes into the management of these areas which no longer have any economic reason for existing as they are? I'm tormented with the idea that the whole moorland and heathland agenda is a con trick to divert money into jobs for conservationists. I've asked the question many times now but no answer has convinced me. Nobody's saying there should be no heathland, no moorland left at all...but as much as this?

Tree Lover

Usually found growing around birch trees as its name makes clear, is the Brown Birch Bolete. It's not highly rated for edible qualities, though its cousin the Orange Birch Bolete has a better reputation.

Not recommended at all is the Tawny Grisette, a member of the family which includes some of the most poisonous of the fungi. There are numerous of these at present on the slopes under trees to the left as you walk up from the Stepping Stones to Lenny Hill.

Rain Lovers

In the grassy areas of the pastures rain has brought out the first of the autumn mushrooms. This one I've not been able to identify although I suspect it's fairly common. There are hundreds of them around and my guess is that it's a kind of waxcap.













Another waxcap that is usually very common here is the Meadow Waxcap and the first of these has now appeared.

Cheering

Not a good time for people prone to depression. Summer holidays over, evenings drawing in, lack of sunlight, short of money, prices rising, reduced job security, the football season already well advanced.

So just the time for an invigorating walk in the fresh air to feel just what it’s like to have rain dripping off the trees onto your face and water seeping into your walking boots.

Drying Out...

....until the next downpour. During a heavy rainstorm yesterday this Fly Agaric, growing on the edge of the path, was broken up by the torrents and bits of it were carried away to be found up to 30 yards further on.



Many spiders were taking the opportunity in the drier spells to occupy the centre of their webs. They could have been drying out or just being sure to be on hand when the next meal was delivered.

Promising

The only assurance we needed after yesterday's unrelieved rain was that there would be some gaps between the showers.

And it did start better. The problem was mainly where to put your feet.
This spot is often a mere trickle.