There and Back

Today's aim was `Autumn Colours` and a visit to Christchurch Park was our first port of call.  We were blessed with some sunshine, which we had feared would not arrive. So we managed to take a few images, which hopefully tell the story of the Autumn scene. As you enter the park, one of the first areas you come across is the large pond, and this is where these first three images were taken - complete with Armistice Day wreaths around the perimeter fence. The small high level cloud adding to the image I felt. Then a couple taken elsewhere around the park. Individual leaves looking beautiful in the morning light. With the image below taken as we exited one of the pathways, giving a tunnel effect. These next few images were taken in Holywell Park, another of the beautiful Ipswich parks. Holywell park also has a pond and it was covered in algae in which this Coot sat!  Another wider image of the pond. Then, just to compare the pond in other years, an image I took two years ago of r...

Yesterday was the day of national observance of Armistice Day. This is when we, and people around the world, take part in a two-minute silence to remember those who gave their life for their country. This year marks the 106th anniversary of the end of World War I. On the 11 November 1918, fighting was suspended on the Western Front, so Germany and the Allies could reach a peace agreement, and the guns fell silent at 11am. It's known as Armistice Day and that's why the period of silence takes place each year at 11 o'clock, on the 11th day of the 11th month. We had gone to visit Christchurch Park to see the Autumn colours, but had not realised that groups from local schools were gathering to celebrate Armistice Day at the local War Memorial. This is my record of the poignant ceremony The officials and the groups of young people start to gather around. The ceremony gets under way. The lowering of the flags - a tradition which has come to symbolize mourning, respect, and tribut...

Well, the end of the year is almost upon us and we are all looking forward to the warmer weather. However, there are still things to photograph and keep us venturing out in the cold! Well wrapped up of course. On the 8th of December I captured this rainbow over the Layham Church as I was setting off on my morning walk. Of course this would be a morning I had no camera on me - how could you I thought. However the mobile phone came to the rescue so I was reasonable pleased with the result. I have never seen a rainbow over the church before, and I have walked past it hundreds of times. Today was the right time and day - it lasted a very few minutes, and then was gone. A chance call into East Bergholt church on my way home from Flatford on 11th gave me the opportunity to capture the window dedicated to John Constable. A one time resident of the village. Lights of another sort as I captured (hand held) these wonderful christmas lights in Hintlesham village. Difficult...

Autumn is a beautiful time of year despite the imminent threat of Winter round the corner. Some years we have masses of colour, but in others, the leaves are off the trees before we can appreciate them.  Here are a few images taken in 2010, and mostly in close proximity to where we live, starting  with some leaves. Leaves still on the trees, and below are some that are on the ground. Steps This is the time of year that we see the most fungi, although they can be spotted at varying times in the year. The reasonably common  Fly Agaric (Aminita muscaria) Another common one, the Shaggy Parasol (Macrolepiota procera) Perhaps we don't see these quite as much, the Crested Coral (Clavulina coralloides) The Brett with reflections of the autumnal colours. Mist - beautiful, but a hazard if you are on the road! More reflections on the Brett Drips of moisture on the Rose hips The local ch...