Autumn seems to be on its way.....

I've had a very good friend staying with me recently, so blogging's taken a bit of a back burner. However, wildlife doesn't stand still (I'm glad to say) neither do the visitors to my garden.

(Both the next 2 pictures have been in the category "grab the camera and shoot through double glazing before checking the settings; therefore record shots only :) )

The juvenile Gt. Spotted Woodpeckers are still daily visitors and I've also had a Green Woodie who seemed to enjoy the many ants I've unearthed by cutting the grass!

Another 3 times visitor has been a Sparrowhawk. I've observed two successful hunts and both times (I believe) Goldfinches have been the victims.

I had a visit to Painshill Park the other day and could only find 3 of the 4 young Great Crested Grebes... One was with one parent and, some distance apart were the remaining two with the other parent.

Evidence of Autumn's approach was everywhere..

the berries on the bushes and trees..

the well-formed cones on the pines..

different types of fungi springing up (earlier than usual ?? )

The grapes on the vines are beginning to ripen and the "bird scarer" has now been put into use (this is the sound of a gun firing)..

It was a still day and the reflections of the Chinese bridge were an almost perfect mirror image.

Mallards lazed about; this male just beginning to get its full plumage back after eclipse.

En famille!

The "conkers" are getting ready to shed the fruits..

and everywhere was looking very green;

dappled sunlight amongst the trees overhanging the water.

That's it for now; more to follow soon......