CloseEyeOnOctober

The October undergrowth is an eclectic tangle of the dying and the new.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 12:38:07 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The October undergrowth is an eclectic tangle of the dying and the new.

Herb Robert is still in flower, although nowhere nearly as abundant as at the height of the summer.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 12:38:12 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Herb Robert is still in flower, although nowhere nearly as abundant as at the height of the summer.

Remnants of late summer Nettle growth is still luxuriant, although like the flowering Hogweeds, the October plants are shorter and almost aware that their growing season is about to end.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 12:38:33 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Remnants of late summer Nettle growth is still luxuriant, although like the flowering Hogweeds, the October plants are shorter and almost aware that their growing season is about to end.

A Grey Heron freezes a few centimetres above the surface of the Crane, watching patiently for passing fish.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 14:02:28 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
A Grey Heron freezes a few centimetres above the surface of the Crane, watching patiently for passing fish.

October is often a cool month along the Crane and yet the colours of autumn are somehow warm and reassuring. These Guelder Rose berries are literally glowing in the October afternoon light.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:54:57 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
October is often a cool month along the Crane and yet the colours of autumn are somehow warm and reassuring. These Guelder Rose berries are literally glowing in the October afternoon light.

The leaves of deciduous trees are beginning to die back in October and we begin to see a local version of "fall colours". These Horse Chestnut leaves are fading fast.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:54:59 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The leaves of deciduous trees are beginning to die back in October and we begin to see a local version of "fall colours". These Horse Chestnut leaves are fading fast.

Hogweed has a long flowering season and even in October some are still in bloom. This plant has an unusual pinkish tinge to the petals.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:55:01 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Hogweed has a long flowering season and even in October some are still in bloom. This plant has an unusual pinkish tinge to the petals.

Stag Beetle grubs take over five years to mature to adulthood, with this individual probably within a season of that goal.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 14:02:54 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Stag Beetle grubs take over five years to mature to adulthood, with this individual probably within a season of that goal.

Mouse-ear Hawkweed is one of the few grassland plants in flower in the Crane Valley this month.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:55:02 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Mouse-ear Hawkweed is one of the few grassland plants in flower in the Crane Valley this month.

Tiny spheres of dew cling to the hairy leaves of a young dead-nettle.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 12:35:58 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Tiny spheres of dew cling to the hairy leaves of a young dead-nettle.

These Oak leaves are turning in October. Mature Oaks in Crane Park seem to look even more majestic than normal as they gradually discard their green cloaks for the winter.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:55:04 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
These Oak leaves are turning in October. Mature Oaks in Crane Park seem to look even more majestic than normal as they gradually discard their green cloaks for the winter.

In the middle of October a Harlequin Ladybird transforms itself from larva into beetle just in time to seek a sheltered place to overwinter.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 14:05:18 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
In the middle of October a Harlequin Ladybird transforms itself from larva into beetle just in time to seek a sheltered place to overwinter.

Calm October afternoons are good times to stare into the River Crane and admire the reflections of the autumn colours.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:55:05 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Calm October afternoons are good times to stare into the River Crane and admire the reflections of the autumn colours.

Bristly Oxtongue will flower for another month in rough grassy places along the Crane. Although the dandelion-like flower is not distinctive, the succulent leaves with swollen bristle bases ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:55:06 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Bristly Oxtongue will flower for another month in rough grassy places along the Crane. Although the dandelion-like flower is not distinctive, the succulent leaves with swollen bristle bases ...

On a sunny October afternoon a Wood Mouse reaches for some autumnal fare on the edge of a nettle bank near the Marsh Farm Triangle.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 14:03:11 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
On a sunny October afternoon a Wood Mouse reaches for some autumnal fare on the edge of a nettle bank near the Marsh Farm Triangle.

The striking Herald moth is one of the few that you are likely to encounter still in flight in October. This specimen is roosting on the interior wall of the Shot Tower.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 12:38:21 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The striking Herald moth is one of the few that you are likely to encounter still in flight in October. This specimen is roosting on the interior wall of the Shot Tower.

The perfect form of a spent head of Teasel stands erect on Crane Park Island. The seeds of Teasel are extremely popular with local birds such as Goldfinches.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:55:10 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The perfect form of a spent head of Teasel stands erect on Crane Park Island. The seeds of Teasel are extremely popular with local birds such as Goldfinches.

Although past its main growing season some fresh Teasel heads are still forming. However it is unlikely that this flower will reach maturity this late in the year.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:55:08 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Although past its main growing season some fresh Teasel heads are still forming. However it is unlikely that this flower will reach maturity this late in the year.

Fidgety Grey Wagtails breed along the Crane and can often be glimpsed as a tiny flash of blurred colour as they restlessly forage along the edge of the river.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 14:04:30 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Fidgety Grey Wagtails breed along the Crane and can often be glimpsed as a tiny flash of blurred colour as they restlessly forage along the edge of the river.

Spindle berries provide one of the most extraordinary sights in October, illuminating the hedgerow on Crane Park Island.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 12:38:33 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Spindle berries provide one of the most extraordinary sights in October, illuminating the hedgerow on Crane Park Island.

These citrus October colours appear to be of leaves belonging to a Common Lime in Crane Park.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:55:12 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
These citrus October colours appear to be of leaves belonging to a Common Lime in Crane Park.

The damp autumn ground conditions are ideal for fungi, which are much more evident at this time of year. This small cluster of Inkcaps was found beneath a tree in Crane Park close to Meadway ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 12:55:11 -0800

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The damp autumn ground conditions are ideal for fungi, which are much more evident at this time of year. This small cluster of Inkcaps was found beneath a tree in Crane Park close to Meadway ...

The thick scrub at Mereway Nature Park is home to hidden flocks of House Sparrows, who roost communally within the protection of the bushes over the cooler months of the year.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 14:04:06 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The thick scrub at Mereway Nature Park is home to hidden flocks of House Sparrows, who roost communally within the protection of the bushes over the cooler months of the year.

The flowers of October sometimes need searching for, but there are still some around, such as this Red Clover on one of the Crane Park Island meadows.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 12:37:46 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
The flowers of October sometimes need searching for, but there are still some around, such as this Red Clover on one of the Crane Park Island meadows.

Fallen apples from a remnant allotment orachard gather amongst the ivy at Mereway Nature Park.

nobody@smugmug.com (Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 14:05:04 -0700

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk)
Fallen apples from a remnant allotment orachard gather amongst the ivy at Mereway Nature Park.