Friday, November 16, 2018

16/11/2018 Join me on yesterdays walk when the weather was almost as good as today. 8kms.

Maximum temperature today 19C, minimum 9C.  Dry; 14km/h south-westerly winds gusting up to 24 km/h. 
The weather changes tomorrow and winter arrives next week!!
Autumn colours are slow this year.
  
Down the road, I passed the paddock where our Dr's family keep some of their horses...

Nope, not the same horse but similar markings...

Here they are together....

Their little friend is at the top of the hill.

Further on a farm cat watches me cautiously.

I then spotted a huge hornet's nest which should have been reported.  It will be too cold for them next week though.  I think they are Asian hornets! 

An old pump of some kind.

Grapes wearing their autumn colours.

Cattle viewed across a field.

Down the leafy lane.

Sheep watching me closely...

as is number 5701.

 
I just liked this view.

Unusual here to see cattle with full horns.  Most have the tips cut off for ease in handling.

Unusual fungus growing on a tree.
David has given me a bit more info and it seems this is Fomes fomentarius (commonly known as the tinder fungus, false tinder fungus, hoof fungus, tinder conk, tinder polypore or ice man fungus) it is a species of fungal plant pathogen found in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.
  
Lots of mistletoe.

a small stream.

The oaks are changing colour.

I also saw a few birds which I will put on the bird blog in the next couple of days.

28 comments:

  1. Oh my! What absolutely gorgeous photos! Loved that you shared your walk with us!!

    Blessings and hugs!

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    1. Hi Doniene, glad that you enjoyed your virtual walk. I try to change routes but even walking the same one is never the same for photos. Have a good Weekend, hugs Diane

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  2. Good afternoon Your African Lovliness: 8 km, Impressive! You will be even more lovely - svelte, trim, willowy even. And I think the fungus on the tree is a Tinder Polypode.

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    1. LOL thanks David for the comment and for the ID. I do not know one fungus from another so I am happy to learn. I hope all is well with you. Talke care and enjoy the weekend Diane

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    2. That should read Polypore not Polypode. You would think by now my iPad could read my mind!

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    3. Ha ha I spotted that which I put correctly in the post under the photo. Diane

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  3. I will walk with you any time. I had a good time.

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    1. It would be good if you could join me in real life. Take care Diane

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  4. A beautiful walk for you, and such great photo's, Diane. Thanks for sharing!

    xoxo

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    1. Thnaks Sally for the kind comment, appreciated. Hope all is well with you Diane

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  5. The autumn colours may be slow Diane but they were certainly worth waiting for.. tres jolie images. Love all of the critters you met along the way with the exception of the Asian hornets.. I remember coming across a nest in my garden a few years back, had to have them professionally removed. Enjoy the last of the autumn weather before winter sets in.

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    1. We have had a nest in our oak for the last two years and it was not seen either time until the leaves dropped. By then it is too late and they say leave it as the winter will kill anything living in it anyway. The birds usually attack it when it is very cold as I presume they still get out the maggots which are surviving in the early part of winter. Winter is here this coming week we drop to minus figures!! Cheers Diane

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  6. A heavenly walk for you having neighbors with horses. The stout one looks a riot. A nice way to enjoy the animals without all the bother.

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    1. It is good when the horses are in this field as they come down when they see me. They are often in the field at the back of their house and too far from the road. The little one is a very cheeky little chap!!! Hope all is well Diane

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  7. What a wonderful walk that was, Diane! You've captured the essence of the countryside beautifully in your photos and captions. I couldn't help but look at that lake and think 'dragonflies', and with temperatures as high as that, they're probably still around. We were down to a chilly 6° when I was walking back from the owls this evening.

    My very best wishes - - - Richard

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    1. There are a few lakes around but all on private property and not close to the road �� I did see a dragonfly yesterday, but it was gone almost before I saw it!! Minus figures next week so winter is here now. Tuesday maximum is only 4C.

      Keep warm and take care Diane

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  8. Great walk you had and thank you for a virtual tour of all those pretty scenes, lovely animals. I find the wasp's nest fascinating, such a wonderful fete of engineering in nature. Enjoy the rest of your weekend Diane :)

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    1. Those nests are amazing, so beautifully built with so many patterns. Glad you enjoyed the virtual walk with me. Take care Diane

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  9. That was a lovely walk throught the countryside, Diane. Thank you.

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  10. Beautiful critter photos Dian. Sorry I thought I had left a comment here earlier and I came back and see I didn't! I love the horse photos, especially the little guy from the top of the hill. He is so cute. I miss seeing fungi. I saw a lot of them as a child as I spent a lot of time in the woods. Now I'm mostly in the city. I just came across the tinder fungus on line twice this week. Long ago I'd see this in a lot of homes as people used for some kind of home remedy. Thanks so much for the book recommendations. I am very interested in reading both books but they are not currently in my library. I may have to order them later but I will first ask the library to purchase and see how it goes. Have a great Sunday.

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    1. We have so many forest areas here but at this time of the year I steer clear, the French are for ever out hunting and there are often accidents!!!!! That little horse is a cheeky litle guy, I am sure if I went in to the field he would chase me out 😊 Thankfully I have never really lived in a city, not sure that I could cope, I hate crowds and built up areas. Thanks for your email re the books, I hope you enjoy them.
      Keep well and keep warm, Diane

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  11. Ooh, the change in colour of trees is gorgeous and I was giggling at your story about Glenfiddich ;-)

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    1. Ha ha I can also laugh now but I was not impressed at the time. Cheers Diane

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  12. Diane, you know I love sheeps. But do you know that I LOVE horses and cats? Beautiful photos, my friend. Kisses!

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    1. Like me you obviously love all animals. Take care and thanks for the comment Diane

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  13. O yes, now I see your tree with fungus. So cute ... the same!

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  14. Nice weather to take a walk to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Beautiful autumns colours, horses, cows, and cats. Have a great day and keep warm.

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