Rambling Russells

Fine weather was forecast so we headed to Eskrigg Reserve to find some fungi and Autumnal colours to photograph.   We noticed that there was a pond-dipping event on so avoided the main hide and kept to the perimeter paths around the reserve.   There were lots of opportunities for seeing the dappled sun shining through the colourful leaves.   Remember, if you click on a photo below you can view the pictures bigger and as a slide show.                                              

The first half of the month consisted of many muggy days and nights. There wasn't always necessarily a lot of sunshine - in fact there were plenty of showers - but it was very warm!  The clearing up in the garden and the greenhouse continued around the still - flowering specimens. The Kaffir lilies are beginning to flower nicely. They are such a nice sight towards the end of the season. We have red and pink ones, in their delicate shades of colour.     The red leaves of the photinia are looking really vibrant this year too. I have trimmed back many of the perennial plants, including the buddleias. Plants in the wild area have also been cut back.The sweet peas got blown over in some strong winds, but they were setting seeds as I couldn't keep up with cutting off the dead flowers. Some of the plants trimmed back last month have regrown and some are looking to flower again! Centurea, oriental poppies and astrantia are all blooming again...

On a sunny October day we set off to look for Autumn colour. We went past  the Devil's Beeftub looking at the beautiful double rainbow that suddenly appeared over the hills and watching the skeins of geese crossing the sky in front of us.       We headed for Talla Reservoir, just outside Tweedsmuir, in the Borders.     A lovely stretch of water with some very autumnal- looking hills.       As we moved on past Megget Water the weather deteriorated and it got very misty.     A quick stop at St Mary's Loch and we then headed off towards Ettrick. The autumnal trees and the hills on the way were looking superb ...         The road to Ettrick is just a single road with passing places and very few houses - but spectacular scenery.           Returning via Eskdalemuir, the sun re-appeared and the clouds and ...

Many more birds in the garden again this month, with both great tits back - and looking in the nest box! It has been lovely to hear the robin singing every day and watching us weeding and disturbing the soil.  It is nice to see several young birds still flying about with adults. The sight of 4 buzzards hovering over the garden was great.   photo from Wikepedia They were riding the thermals and circling round and round for ages. On the last day of the month we also heard - and then saw - a great flock of geese, presumably returning from their summer homes. The sound was here well before the birds and a sign that autumn is truly upon us. Local wildlife sights have also been reporting influxes of geese and whooper swans. Our monthly max for birds in the garden is as follows: Blackbird  - 2 male, 4 young Blue tit - 3 Buzzard - 4 Chaffinch - 1 female Coal tit - 1 adult, 2 young Collared dove - 2 Dunnock - 2 Goose - 75+ Goldfinch - 4 adult, 3 young Great tit - 2 House sparrow -...