Lets take a little look at lichens
Lobed and layered, without leaves
They’ll grow wherever the sun brightens
On branch and trunk, on walls and eaves
I took a little time to study the wall outside the Learning Centre today. Yellow blooms of Caloplaca aurantia were peppered between larger growths of Diploicia canescens. On the nearby Blackthorn scrub Usnea subfloridana grew in abundance, with what I believe is Parmelia sulcata also present.
Jay, Green Woodpecker and Wood Pigeon were all out on the wing over and around Long Meadow. A single Shaggy Ink Cap was to be seen, the cap having already disintegrated into a sticky black ill smelling goo. A quick hop into the Woods at the top of Isle of Wight Road revealed a few probable Wood Mushrooms and some Pale Milkcaps, plus a few fragments of a deceased Southern Bracket.
Down beside Durlston Castle a Grey Squirrel was perched atop a wall, gazing intently at the ground and squeaking sporadically. I watched for a few moments, trying to fathom this strange behaviour. After a little while it bounded off. I offer no explanation.
Small groups of Goldfinches periodically passed overhead as I descended, casting scornful glances at fresh shoots and flowers of Red Valerian. An Elder tree played host to yet more lichen, with abundant Xanthoria parietina clinging to its wrinkled bark.
As I walked along the clifftops a Rock Pipit leapt out into space, twittering its song as it engaged in a parachuting display. A lone Shag flew close to the water heading eastward, while at the Tilly Whim Caves Blue Tits and Dunnocks hopped about the Gorse and tangles of Dog Rose.
Walking up along the Gulley I came across a Dung Roundhead growing out of a dried scrap of manure, then a few Field Mushrooms further up. Another cow pat sustained a small group of Egghead Mottlegills. Whilst scaling the Lighthouse Road my eyes were drawn to a few yellow blooms. A couple of Toadflax swaying in the breeze. Autumn brings fourth many things, even new flowers.