Toadstool

Autumn is of course the bumper season for fungi in our woods and fields.  I'm not good at identifying mushrooms and toadstools at all but I think this one is a Fly Agaric.  I was attracted by it as I think it's the archetypal toadstool of children's stories - the one that usually has an elf or a fairy sitting under it.  Sadly, just like the pheasant in the wood that I mentioned yesterday, the little creature ran away in fright, refusing to be photographed!

An English wood in autumn

I've been away for the weekend, visiting my mother who lives in Nottinghamshire (about 70 miles/112 km south of Saltaire).  It's an area with a very different visual character from my own locality.  The hills and moorland of Pennine Yorkshire give way to more gentle, rolling farmland and woods.  The weather for much of the UK has been glorious - cold, crisp sunshine - and the autumn colours seem to have peaked.  Beech trees in particular have especially vibrant red-golds this year.  I disturbed a cock pheasant when I stopped to take this photo.  It's a pity it clattered off in alarm, as it would have added a bit of extra interest to the image.

THANK YOU....
I'm very appreciative of all you lovely people who voted for my photo(s) in the 'Yorkshire Landscapes' competition.  Thank you!  As I understand it, they will count up the public votes and use them to draw up a shortlist, from which a panel of judges will then select the overall winner.  Some of the photos will also be featured in a book and a calendar, so even if I don't win it would be good to see a photo of mine in print.  There is no timescale given - but I will of course let you know the result when I find out.   Here's hoping...!