Knotty, Bleached and Split

Fencepost of the Week #32

This rough-cut fencepost is in a position exposed to the sun and wind - not much grows on its surface, but it is still full of character.

Walk The Eck Flyer

I was asked to do a generic background image for all the flyers for forthcoming Walk the Eck guided walks. If you're in the area check them out - they will be great excursions despite my absence. 

Here's the finished painting:

Now that I'm in Brighton, hopefully I will find the time to brush up on my ink-wash techniques - I feel I could do so much better...

El Torcal

Scenic Sundays #23

El Torcal is a massive, otherworldly maze of weathered limestone. Here it is on google maps.

 Normally I love to lose myself in a landscape, but here I kept to the path, as getting lost could have easily led to a really serious situation.

Enclave & Fungus

Fencepost of the Week #31

A mossy enclave, February 2011:

 ...and then in September with some additional colour:

This fungus is Calocera viscosa which loves long-dead coniferous timber. There is a similar fungus - Calocera cornea - which deals similarly with hardwood timber, but you rarely see that on fenceposts.

 I am moving to Brighton this weekend - I hope I will able to find some wonderful fenceposts in Sussex to continue this series, but I fear that fenceposts may only really flourish in the mild, damp west coast climate...

The Sickener

Monday Mushroom #22

This bright, little mushroom of the boggier conifer plantations goes by the name of 'The Sickener'

Russula emetica - The Sickener

Russula emetica - The Sickener

When starting out, russulas are one of the most easily recognised mushroom genera - they have a distinct look - the stout, brittle stems, white or off white gills and flesh and smooth, regular, often brightly coloured caps. But there are many different species, and identifying the individual species is quite tricky - which is a shame as many are good edibles, but quite a few are - like the sickener - likely to cause gastric upsets.

Dark in the sun.

Scenic Sundays #22

A dark, sunny day in late February.

Lady Scorpion Flies

Wildlife Wednesdays #22

I posted a photo of a male scorpion fly a while back, below I am pleased to present the female of the species:

Holly

Tree-fetish Tuesday #23

Holly trees have some of the meltiest bark of all - full of ripples, and puckers and bubbles.

If exposed to a little chafing, it becomes shiny, smooth and red - rather like leather.