Coral in the Forest

I went for a walk today up Fringed Hill - one of the hills in behind Nelson. The weather was cloudy and cold, and we didn't get the best view... but we didn't get wet either and it was nice to get out in the bush for a little bit.

Looking down on Nelson

We did however see lots of fungi along the track from Third House up to the peak of Fringed Hill. These were a couple of the more interesting looking ones...

They are coral fungi. There are many different species found around the world, and over 100 found in New Zealand.  Many species of coral fungi are branched, but these ones are unbranched. They are likely from the genus Clavaria, although they also look similar to some Ramariopsis species - the two genera can only be distinguished microscopically. Clavaria species are unbranched (with the exception of one species) and may grow in clusters (like the orange one above) or singly (more like the yellow ones above, although they are still somewhat clustered). They are also noted for their often bright colours, which depending on the species, range from white through yellow, orange/salmon, dark gray and violet. They certainly are beautiful! 

Check out the neat things other people have shared this week for Reconnect with Nature

Autumn's Palette: Why Leaves Change Their Colour

Trees and plants use pigments in their leaves to trap light energy, which they then use to produce sugars. The main pigment used by most plants to capture light energy is known as chlorophyll, and gives leaves their green colour. When deciduous trees are preparing for winter, they allow the chlorophyll in their leaves to break down into amino acids which the tree recycles and stores, ready to use in the growth of new leaves in the spring. As the chlorophyll breaks down, it allows other pigments present in the leaves to become visible.

The yellow and orange colours are the result of pigments known as carotenoids. Carotenoids are present in leaves all through the growing season, but their colour is usually masked by the green chlorophyll. 

The reds and purple colours are the result of pigments known as anthocyanins. These are not present in the leaves all year around, but are produced in the autumn as the plant is recycling its chlorophyll and allow the plant to capture light energy for a little bit longer.

                                                                  

Combinations of these pigments add further to the range of colours to be found in autumn leaves and produce autumn's palette.

In addition to vast array of colours (the only colours that are missing are the blues, but on a nice clear autumn day, the sky makes up for that), I love the array of patterns the different colours make on individual leaves - each one is uniquely different and rarely a single shade. Here are a few for you to enjoy :)

Autumn Leaves and Sunshine

Autumn is well and truly here and fast turning into winter. I love watching the seasons change. Each has something special to offer. Autumn offers her vast array of colours and the way the light shines through the coloured leaves on sunny afternoons always makes me marvel at the beauty. It is a dynamic season - the sight you witness today will often be gone tomorrow, as the leaves continue to change and fall. Recently I have taken several walks with my camera to enjoy the autumn leaves and sunshine. Here are some of my favourites... Enjoy!