Don't forget to turn your clocks back!
As the end of British Summer Time draws to an end it looks like Autumn has arrived with a bang. Wet and windy in parts of the UK but the temperatures are quite mild. Ideal conditions for fungi foraging with plenty of different species popping up everywhere. More on that later. During October I've mainly concentrated on the Annual deer rut in the Royal parks of London. Great places to witness this spectacular event if you haven't already done so. Due to the power of social media etc, it has become a bit of a circus now. Next season I will probably look for new wilder venues.
Young stags with a bit of gentle sparring, Bushy Park.
A the start of the month I managed to visit a couple of car shows at two great venues. Bicester Heritage and Brooklands museum. They both make great backdrops to classic and modern car photography. Bicester was once a RAF base where they still fly vintage aircraft. This is also home to many classic car restoration workshops. Great for any 'Petrol heads'.
Classic American Olsmobile at Bicester Heritage, Oxon.
Benetton Formula 1 racing in the rain at Brooklands museum, Surrey
A location I used to visit quite regular when I was based in Surrey is Virginia Water Lake. It is park of Great Windsor Park where the Queen lives! It is a beautiful location with waterfalls, woodland walks and the stunning Savill gardens. This is also one of my favourite places for 'fungi foraging' if you venture off the main paths. I've spent many an hour on hands and knees photographing the many varieties that can be found there!
Common stinkhorn.....and yes they do stink!
The Cascades at Virginia Water Lake, Surrey.
Parasol mushroom found in abundance in Richmond & Bushy parks.
Also managed a visit to my favourite 'chill-out' venue. The British wildlife centre in Surrey. The trouble with this place is I take so many photographs it can take a few days to scan through them! I take two camera set ups here. One for close up and the other for small distant shots. When I'm visiting I have a rough idea of what species or shot I would like but it never goes to plan! Some species spend most of the time sleeping so it usually pays to visit them at feeding times to guarantee a few images.
Least weasel posing for the cameras. She's very quick though!
This is my most popular image I sell on my Redbubble page. Ted the red fox keeping an eye on me!
Marsh frog at the British wildlife centre, Surrey.
Majestic red deer stags taking a well earned rest after the 'rutting season'
For next month I have taken a well earned rest off from work. I will be heading to my native Lancashire to visit family then hopefully spend a few days on the East side of the country ending up somewhere near The Wash in Norfolk. I've never been there and it is a mecca for wildlife especially during the Autumn migration. I am hoping to visit Blakeney National Nature Reserve where thousands of grey seals can be seen on the beaches. A first for me. Also I have a day booked at the English School of Falconry near Bedford where I will be photographing different birds of prey with Autumnal backdrops.
That's about it for now folks. I hope you have enjoyed reading my latest photographic exploits.
Please continue to upload your photographs to my Photo's Page. There are some great photographs being posted.
More of my images can be viewed on my flickr page.
Steve