Slime Time

I don't expect everyone to be as excited as I am by this Metatrichia floriformis Slime Mould that we found today on Longshaw Estate. Each of these little globes is less than a millimeter across. I got some great hints on macro photography from Fungi John - a lovely bloke who really knows his stuff, and we found more fungi to add to our tally. Many of the tinier ones need to be checked out by microscope - a job for those more skilled than me.
It was a day that started foggy, but which was always destined to be warm and sunny. I went along early to see if there was any sign of migrant birds yet above Padley Gorge - a tad optimistic, but it was very pleasant watching the mist burn off. Then the important business of a bacon butty in Grindleford Caff before resuming our survey in the ancient woodland that Network Rail are planning to grub up. If you have never been to Longshaw / Padley Gorge (it belongs to the National Trust), make sure you put it on your Bucket List, but - a word of warning - go early in the morning because it is understandably very popular. If wanting to save the part that is under threat is NIMBYism, then it is one of the biggest back yards in the country, as it attracts visitors from across the North of England, the East Midlands, and far beyond. Here's a view from higher up the valley taken with my iPhone, and a butterfly spotted on our way back at the end of a lovely day out.