Fraser and MacDuff posing

It's a while since the cattle appeared on the blog, but this morning only Fraser and MacDuff posed for pictures. They were enjoying an early morning feed in the damp drizzle.

This beautiful fungus has been appearing on the woodchip of the middle path to the moor all through the year whenever the weather has turned damp. It was there in its dozens this morning.

It is Coprinus lagopus and it is thanks to Caroline for the identification. She remembered an article in which it was described. This fungus is particular to newly laid woodchip beds such as our paths. It is very delicate and appears abundantly first thing in the morning. By the middle of the day, however, it is usually shriveling up.

This is Cladonia humilis and it can be seen not far from the field centre on one of the stones at the side of the access road. It is a delicate looking grey-green lichen and has little cup shaped fruiting bodies at the moment.