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Summer Leys

22nd February 2026

With the cold and wet weather gradually easing off we took advantage of a sunnier day to take a stroll around Summer Leys Nature Reserve

A Seven Spot Ladybird is investigating a long light green catkin.
A pale brown to almost orange coloured mushroom with a curved stem has emerged from vibrant green moss.
A medium sized mushroom shaped fungi with a short pale stem and a brown cap with a distinct purple lilac tinge.
A tiny flower with four large blue and white petals is enjoying the sun.
A plump looking Robin is perched on a thorn covered branch.
A small pale brown to almost orange coloured mushroom with a domed cap is growing amongst the brown undergrowth.
A slender stemmed medium sized mushroom with a large flat cap in a creamy colour becoming brown at the edges with the brown gills just showing.


The milder weather had brought out some optimistic Ladybirds

A Seven Spot Ladybird is investigating a long light green catkin.





Salcey Forest

17th February 2026

With the ground soaking wet from seemingly endless rain we had very few choices for a gentle stroll when a reasonably nice day finally arrived. We eventually plumped for Salcey Forest which due to half term was very busy despite the rather high parking charges. Anyway, we enjoyed our potter and a bit of fresh air

The trunk of a large fallen Oak tree is gradually decaying with parts covered in moss and lots of ornate fissure and crevices.
A cluster of orange and red hairy fungi are growing on a fallen tree trunk.
What looks like an old rotting branch is home to a curious orange jelly like fungi with no obvious describable shape!
A round possibly hand painted sign depicting a happy frog somewhat bizarrely holding a magic wand.
A fallen branch is covered in vibrant green moss and a dark black potatoe shaped fungi which is covered in tiny pimples.


The 'Fallen Oak' One of the two very old and long dead Oaks which are returning to the earth under the public gaze

The trunk of a large fallen Oak tree is gradually decaying with parts covered in moss and lots of ornate fissure and crevices.





Harrold Odell Country Park

28th January 2026

My mother fancied a short stroll followed by tea and cake and since the day was sunny and not too cold we went to Harrold Odell Country Park. The sheltered wooded areas near the cafe were home to lots of Winter Aconites and Snowdrops, it looks as if the area was cultivated to plant them and allow them to naturalize

A large clump of Snowdrops surrounded by a few bright yellow Winter Aconites adding a splash of colour to brown earth and fallen leaves.
A close up view of a cheerful bright yellow Winter Aconite flower.
A closer look at a couple of Snowdrops with the mint green stems and elongate leaves leading to a white flower which has yet to open fully.
A single small mushroom shaped fungi with a tall pale slender stem leading to a slightly pointed cap brown in the centre fading to white around the damaged edge.
A fallen tree trunk is home to a large quantity of pale brown almost peach coloured Jelly Ear Fungus rather randomly shaped and with a matt texture to the surface.
A pair of glossy fungi with tall rounded caps which are coppery brown on top fading to cream towards the base.
A cluster of long colourful yellow to pale green Hazel Catkins are lit up by the winter sun.
A young swan still in its juvenile pale brown and grey plumage is standing in shallow clear water.
A graceful adult Mute Swan swimming away from us with a rippled reflection of itself on the waters surface.


A patch of Snowdrops and Winter Aconites in the woods

A large clump of Snowdrops surrounded by a few bright yellow Winter Aconites adding a splash of colour to brown earth and fallen leaves.