Busy Bee

A close up of a bee I saw during a recent walk over the North Downs in Kent. Anyone know what sort of bee it is? - assuming it is a bee of course...

Ladybird

A ladybird at Northward Hill nature reserve in Kent.

Trooping Funnel

This is a Trooping Funnel mushroom (apparently) which I found during a recent walk on the Downs in Kent.

You can't tell the scale from the picture but it was a monster. About 6" tall and about 5" across the cap.

There was a circle of them around the base of a large tree. Very impressive. They are supposed to be edible but I didn't want to take any chances.

Hawk

I believe this is a Harris Hawk. They normally live in North America. It was part of a falconry display at Chevening House in Kent a few weeks ago.

Poppies

A field of poppies I came across during a recent walk near Eynsford, Kent.

Old Tree at Twitton, Kent

I came across this dead looking tree on a recent walk through the Darent Valley in Kent and thought it contrasted well against the abundant plant life in the foreground (which I am told are cow parsley).

Skull

As you can see my new diet is going well....

Actually this is one of Charles Darwin's specimens on display at Down House in Kent where he lived for many years. The house is open to the public and well worth a visit if you are in the area.

I will (eventually) write a post one day about the great man on my Kent blog.

Bluebells

Bluebells in the woods at Shorne Country Park near Gravesend, Kent. They are my favourite wild flower and I always think of them as a sign of Spring.

Dandelion

A dandelion taken in my (overgrown) garden. Still experimenting with close up shots at the moment but quite pleased with how this one turned out.

Purple Flower

I took this on a walk in the Kent countryside a couple of weeks ago. What I know about plants can be written on the back of a postage stamp but I believe this may be a clematis. Please feel free to correct/educate me if you know better!

White Flower

A snap I took of a flower loast Summer. I think it may be a lavatera (help me out here please any green fingered folks reading this post).

Quite pleased with how it came out.

Tree at Leybourne, Kent

I've been dabbling with different Photoshop effects.

The same tree in colour and again in black and white.

Which version do you prefer?

Fungus

On an old log in Great Buckland on the North Kent Downs

Taking a break

On the marshes near Shornemead Fort on the banks of the River Thames.

Tree at Lullingstone, Kent

An ancient tree at Lullingstone Country Park in Kent.