Monday, October 18, 2010

Walk through Dillons' Wood to Lough Graney, County Clare


Jim's photo of Autumn leaves.

Hi everyone. Jim and I were at a loss what to do yesterday as it rained and we were hoping to finish the poly tunnel we are making. I did some crafting and Jim did bits and bobs. The rain cleared for a while so we decided to risk it and go for a walk. Can't do with being inside all day.

Buster had gone off with his friend Max - so it was just us! The cats were happy in my office:


BlackJack sitting in some of my wool.

Sandy had to take the chair!

Oh look - you can see Hannah on my desk.

Along the lane the lake is on our right:


It looked fine enough. We reached the wood and enjoyed seeing some fungi and lots of lush green moss, plus an abundance of lichen. The wood had a real 'carpet of leaves' on the ground.


Jim in Dillons' wood.

It was about here that we felt the odd spot of rain - well, heard it really. Ah well, 'we're not made of paper' we quipped.

We passed several animal 'holes', one of which I'm sure was a badger's home. This I haven't seen before though. A slug nest?


If you enlarge it you can see a slug crawling about.


We disturbed the ducks by the lake. There was much quacking and flapping! Look how misty is was - the photo is almost in black and white.


I spotted this white feather in the shallows. It looked so pretty with the mist settled on it.

Flagmount was disappearing under the rain cloud which was heading our way!


Luckily we had hats and coats so wrapped up well. Gosh, it did rain!

Jim took some photos of some fishermen in the lake! Rather them than me:


He found a feather and put it in his hat! You can just see it.

Flagmount half gone:



It was very slippery round by the rocks. The grasses looked lovely as ever.

Luckily, the rain soon passed over us. What a difference:



Some pretty lichen, moss and fallen oak leaves.

We walked up to the road and back through the wood - the road cuts right through it.


On the path up to the road there are 2 of these amazing oak trees. They have massive leaves and as you can see, their colour is stunningly vibrant.


Here is one of the fallen leaves, glistening from the rain.

We passed some really weird fungi too. I've never seen any like it before:



From above, it looks like something from Doctor Who!

Mr Anonymous (aka Jim) has just sent me this:

I found the fungus. It's Helvella crispa, also known as the white saddle, elfin saddle or common helvel. It lives in damp woodland especially alongside beech and by footpaths - which is pretty well where we saw it to a T. As to edibility the books say it was considered edible but is now regarded with suspicion. I think that means you didn't ought to eat it. JimX

The sun was shining on Lough Graney again:


I laughed at these cows waiting to be milked. 'Beware of the bull'!!


But a bit further along, there he was:


I wouldn't want to argue with him!

Back home and it was a complete change of clothes for me. The bottoms of my trousers were soaked and I'd also got very hot inside my coat and hat. We were both glad we'd made the effort though.

Here's a little bit of silly video that Jim took of me!



I had not idea that Jim was videoing me! I thought he was just taking a photo. Not very flattering but mildly amusing!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can't believe you saw a badger's place....that's what Harriet was bred to chase!!!!!
We have not had rain in a long time, so I enjoyed your photos. Lovely feather with the mist on top and the leaves are so colorful. You will have to get even with Jim for making the video secretly! Sending my best across the miles to you both. Love the kitties taking over your office - they are beautiful.

Rachel Green said...

What fabuous photographs, as ever.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Mildly amusing???Very funny i think - that Jim has a lot of tricks up his sleeve doesn't he?

Lisa at Greenbow said...

The feather photo is my favorite. That mushroom was one weird thing. I haven't seen such a thing either. I like to find lichen and moss too. They look so other worldly. That Jim is naughty taking a video of you like that. You were auite absorbed in something.

DK said...

Wonderful video, nice one Jim! ~grin~

LOVE the photos, especially the feather, leaf, funghi and such... so pretty. xxx

Bea said...

It must be love when he takes a video of you hunkered down in the bog. lol I saw that scratch of your nose!! Say, since when does the mutt of yours get going off with friends rights? Isn't he still in the doghouse for his last adventure? Love those mushrooms or whatever they were, beautiful but probably deadly. :)

BT said...

Hiya Mildred. Yes, we're sure it's a badger's set, it was quite large. Gosh, you would think Harriet was a bit small to tackle a Badger. They are very fierce.

Jim is very naughty, isn't he? Glad you enjoyed the post Mildred.

Thank you Rachel.

LOL, glad you had a laugh on me Weaver!! I'll get him back, don't you worry!

Hello Lisa. I was very pleased with the feather photo too. Glad you liked it. Bad Jim. I'll get him back!

Hiya K, so glad you enjoyed the post. I knew you'd like the fungi, lichen, feather etc!! Great minds...

BAD JIM.

Hiya Bea. Did you see me poke my tongue out? lol. Oh we like Buster to go off with Max now as he gets good exercise and comes home! I hope he's learnt his lesson. I've never seen such fungi before. Jim says he saw them on someone else's blog recently and is trying to find the post. Hope all's well with you. xxx

Anonymous said...

I found the fungus. It's Helvella crispa, also known as the white saddle, elfin saddle or common helvel. It lives in damp woodland especially alongside beech and by footpaths - which is pretty well where we saw it to a T. As to edibility the books say it was considered edible but is now regarded with suspicion. I think that means you didn't ought to eat it. JimX

BT said...

Oh well done mr anonymous. that's precisely where we saw it! I don't think I'd fancy eating it even if it were safe!!

Lynn Cohen said...

I always so enjoy traveling to your part of the world with you...your photos are wonderful to behold.

Jason said...

Looks very pretty.

Great video, lol..

x

Heather said...

Beautiful photos Gina - you live in such a lovely part of the world. You can trust cats to find the best seats in the house! Love the water droplets on that feather and we have a similar oak tree near us with those enormous leaves. They look almost like polished leather when they have turned brown with the sun on them. The video was fun.

BT said...

You're too kind Lynn.

Glad you enjoyed it Jason.

Hello Heather, I'm just amazed at the size of those oak leaves. I also have a photo of some of the brown leaves and you are right about them looking like leather. The feather photo is a bit of a winner isn't it?

DayPhoto said...

Badgers are such mean animals! We have them all along the back of our farm. One chased Terry and was very determined!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Pam's English Garden said...

Dear Gina, It was a joy to accompany you on this lovely autumn walk! ...Such a beautiful part of the world! Your photography is superb. Pam x

Carol said...

What a lovely walk and I am glad I did not have to get wet! Beautiful place to have so close by. ;>)

Ginny said...

What a fun walk through the woods! Sometimes a walk on a rainy day is just what the spirit needs. Lovely photos!