This is why it's my favourite season. Yesterday I had a glorious walk in Shorne Woods Country Park, featuring more sweet chestnuts than I've ever seen in my life, a few greater spotted woodpeckers, and lots of fungi, including the fabulous fly agaric shown here which was growing in abundance.
5 comments:
Ooh, there's nothing better than a chestnut all shiny, fresh out of its case!
Exquisite photographs.
I was at my parents' house last weekend and was very tempted to gather some chestnuts to roast but didn't have time in the end. Your photo of the glistening kernel inside the spiky husk is perfect and I love the emerging fly agaric.
One year many fly agarics grew near me and I was astounded by their luminous colourings and fantastic, fairytale-esque qualities...
Thanks Felix. I love sweet chestnut because the cases look almost fluffy and yet are quite painful to the fingers! Plus they taste so good...they keep well in a cool dry place, apparently, so you don't have to roast or boil them straight away!
Thanks for introducing me to these woods - I think a visit is going to be in order. The chestnuts look very tempting and the fly agaric, well, they are always magical aren't they.
@colleen - no problem! I didn't even mention the 'eco-friendly' visitors centre which is worth a look, although sadly the food in the cafe is rather disappointing. There are about half a dozen trails you can follow, I did the longest 'explorer' trail which is wilder and practically deserted compared to the others. I am itching for another free weekend to take myself off walking in the isle of Hoo or Sheppey, inspired by your good self!
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