There once was a cloud in the sky
Who saw that the land was quite dry
The absence of wet
Made him quite upset
So much that he started to cry
But once this sad cloud began raining
The ground started moisture a’gaining
The plants quickly drank in
But when they turned up to thank him
They saw there was no cloud remaining
The sky was heavy with darkening cloud as I entered the park this morning, the air rich in humidity with the occasional minute drop of precipitation perceptible on my face. I headed straight for Large Copse hoping to secure a positive ID on Mystery Fungi#1. Lo and behold, the specimens had matured and I was right, Shaggy Parasols indeed.
Out on the meadows the wind was blowing strong and I made my way forward past Wild Carrot, Wild Parsnip and Knapweed whilst clasping my cap to my head. Very bracing. Whilst I didn’t spy anything on the wing other than Carrion Crows and Wood Pigeons I did hear the calls of several Magpies, as well as the pips of Robins and alarm chirps of Great Tits from the hedgerows.
I headed over to Centenary Meadow next to check on Mystery Fungi #2, passing what appeared to be a Speckled Wood, as well as a little bit of yellow Charlock. The Hereford Cattle had carved several inroads into the Wild Clematis blanketing the field margins, and I ventured down one to the Elder on my mycological quest. Sadly, nothing remained but the nibbled white remains of a stipe. I believe the specimen has become a cattle casualty. I counted the culprits as I went through the field, though some of them were hard to spot. Their Cow-mouflage is surprisingly effective amongst the long grass.
A few White Clover flowers still remained in bloom amid a sea of dead Yellow Rattle, as well as a pleasant little Herb Robert bloom and a little Birds Foot Trefoil. A Wall butterfly briefly alighted on the ground next to me, unveiling the intricate patterns on its wings for a moment before taking flight again. I finally made my return journey via the Lighthouse Road, a purple and yellow bloom of Bittersweet Nightshade garnishing the end of my travels.