Saturday
Nov122011

Red Slime Mould

From a few days ago: fresh sporangia of a red slime mould.  It was on the underside of a log.  I have no idea of the species nor even the genus [Note added 2013-12-26: probably an Arcyria sp.] but I will keep an eye on it over the next few days to see how it develops and that might give some clues.

The slime trail on the right-hand side is probably just a slug trail and nothing to do with the slime mould itself.

Photo taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-11-10.

Friday
Nov112011

Red Fungus

From 8 years ago, a red fungus growing at the base of an oak tree: probably a young beefsteak fungus, Fistulina hepatica.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2003-09-06.

Thursday
Nov102011

Robin

From 6 years ago, a robin (Erithacus rubecula).

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2005-03-29.

Wednesday
Nov092011

Platypezid Flies

A female Platypezid fly, probably Polyporivora picta (Diptera: Platypezidae).  Similar to the female Polyporivora ornata from a few days earlier but with a black scutellum, yellow legs and a slightly different black and white pattern over the rest of the thorax and abdomen.

This is another one that I found in the same spot a few days later.  The males of this species are black (see here), as are those of P. ornata.

Photos taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-10-15 and 2011-01-18, respectively.

Tuesday
Nov082011

Platypezid Fly

From my Sunday afternoon walk: a male Platypezid fly, probably Agathomyia falleni (Diptera: Platypezidae).  It was on a decaying birch log.

Photo taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-11-06.