Mushrooms or fungi?

A plethora of fungi in the garden today, not sure what they are, but we have an old tree stump and I think these are growing on its roots? I need to clear away all the empty flowerpots, give them a good wash so we can pot plants on in the spring. We spent a couple of hours planting pyracantha and roses next to the old hedge, hoping they grow up nice and spiky.

Silver birch

Silver birch trees are much whiter than they used to be when I was a child. They still have dark marks on their trunks, like upward facing arrows. But the dirty grey bark of polluted air in the past decades has seemingly reduced. But particulates still float in the air, and carbon dioxide is increasing, so maybe the trees will get bigger as they absorb the gas?

This beautiful example is starting to lose it’s leaves. Shown against the white and blue of showery sky.

Autumn leaves

Most leaves have changed colour

It’s November and they are hanging on

But a storm is coming..

Leaves will spin and twist…

Then fall like snowflakes to the ground.

To be blown along by the wind

Forming drifts

Where hedgehogs can hide,

Damp leaf mold will rot and spread

Nutrients back into the soil.

Leaves anew, next year, to feed..

So the cycle of life turns…

Autumn woman

Painting from eight years ago, it came up on my Facebook page. I don’t know if I’ve ever posted it here.

Autumn Woman

When the leaves fall

From under leaf litter

You will slowly crawl.

Gleaming colours

Red, gold, green,

Are soft or brittle

A seasonal scene.

Then mists and fruits

Make subtle colours

And Autumn woman

Finds her full power.