Woodlife Trails Autumn colours

Autumn colours

By Pablo | Posted in misc

November 4th, 2007

My trips out this weekend were simply to take in the wonderful autumn colours and see what was about in Broaks wood.

I took the smallest day sack, a litre bottle of water, some fruit, a sit mat and the Bushbuddy to make a brew. I took nothing else and it was nice to travel light.

The temperature swayed between 12 and 15 degrees C and when the sun came out it was quite warm. I wandered about aimlessly on both days for a few hours each day just taking in the autumnal colours and the smell of the damp

wood. The damp woods are at last providing some interesting growth. I think this mushroom is the Wood blewit. If it is then it is edible but not edible raw. The mushroom looses its blue/purple tinge when it matures and turns a deep brown reddish colour.

The ponds were quiet and I’m pretty sure it’s occupants are preparing for hibernation. I came across some Coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). I’ve always known they were here in Broaks but never knew exactly what they were until I looked them up. These are, of course, related to the Giant Sequoia but doesn’t grow as broad as the Giant Redwood although it does grow a little taller. These of course are very young trees, but even so are pretty impressive. There’s not a huge amount of groves of these around the country, so I feel a little priviledged to have them close to where I live.

I was trying to figure out what the bark could be used for, but it is very soft and very flakey.

There we go. A post without the mention of tracking or deer. Oh damn. I just said it. I may as well mention the Munjac I came face to face with then. I just stuck my head through some foliage and there he was, about 4 feet away. It was hard to tell who was more shocked. After about 2 seconds of staring at each other he turned his white tail to me and bounded off.

Thanks for the visit.

Pablo.