Barnacles et al.

 On barnacle covered rocks one can sometimes see tiny periwinkles between and sometimes in the barnacle shells.

In this photo as well as the periwinkles there are also tiny mussels. Notice also the pitting on the barnacle shells. (Click to enlarge photo) The pitting is said to be caused by a lichen.
Note: For more information on the small periwinkles and the pitted barnacles, I highly recommend 'Jessica's Nature Blog.'

Autumn Colour in Falkland

Autumn colour in the trees in the Falkland Estate. (Falkland village is about 14 miles inland and North-East of Largo.)

Stormy Weather

In the last couple of days rough seas have caused spectacular surf and waves in Largo Bay. The view from Lower Largo Pier across the bay.

Looking towards Lower Largo from Lundin Links the beach was hidden by foam.

Waves break on the rocks opposite the pier at Lower Largo. Notice the three ducks battling the tide in the above photo.

The view from the pier looking towards the Temple car park at Lower Largo.

Looking towards Leven from Lower Largo.

Coal on the Beach

Small seams of coal can be found amongst the rocks on the beach at Lundin Links. Although the largest coal fields were in Central and West Fife, there were small coal mines in the East Neuk, notably at St Monans, where the coal was used to evaporate sea water in the salt pans.

Quirky Rocks

Someone in the local area has a template of a footprint and these appear all over Largo. This one is on a rock at the top of the beach just beyond the last house at the Temple in Lower Largo. Presumably it's meant to represent Man Friday's footprint, as Andrew Selkirk lived in Largo. He was reputed to be the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe.

The way marker on the coastal path at Lundin Links also bears the footprint.

This rock on the beach at Lower Largo really does look like a face. I am not sure whether it is natural or man-made. As the hole goes right through the rock, I wonder if it had been a post with a hole drilled through it to hold a rail. It lay amongst boulders at the top of the beach beneath the disused railway line. Perhaps they were originally placed there to support the track.
Whilst I searched for the stone and took the photos, I am indebted to Marysia's Photo Blog for drawing it to attention in her original post. It was a great spot.

A strange spider-like pattern on this rock on the beach at Lundin Links. I think that it's caused by the softer rock in the aggregate wearing away showing the harder rock beneath.

Fascinating Fungi

I love the way fungi can turn an old tree stump into a natural sculpture. This example was in the woods at Acorn Bank, a National Trust property near Penrith.

The end of this fallen tree trunk on the walk to High Force had two types of fungi growing on it. I think that the largeris a many-zoned polypore (Coriolus versicolour) and that the tiny spots are orange jelly fungus (Dacrymyces ststillatus).

This boulder in the little stream which we passed on the short walk to High Force was covered in small pale orange fungi.

This was a large mushroom growing on a tree trunk near Pooley Bridge. I'm pretty certain that this is Beefsteak Fungus (Fistulina hepatica). It actually does look like a piece of steak.

This was another fungus growing in the woods at Acorn Bank. Not sure of the identification. Maybe a milk cap?

This mushroom was growing in the grass In the Masney Braes at Lundin Links. It was a bit like a misshapen golf ball, so I presume it is a puffball type.

Another mushroom spotted in the Massney Braes. No idea of the identification on this one.

The Money Tree at Aira Force.

It was the fungi that first attracted me to this fallen tree trunk on the walk to Aira Force. Then I noticed that masses of coins had been hammered in to the bark and that it was a money or wishing tree.

Aira Force

Close to Ullswater the most famous of the Lake District waterfalls, Aira Force drops an impressive 65 feet. It is paricularly spectacular after heavy rain.

The waterfall is surrounded by a lovely woodland glade.

A Waddling of Ducks

The mallards at Largo Bay are quite shy and tend to swim away if approached, however, in the Lake District they congregate round car parks and picnic spots, indeed anywhere there might be a bit of food going. These above were in the car park at Pooley Bridge on the march for grub.

These four ducks arrived as soon as we sat down at a picnic table on the shores of Ullswater.

These two remained after the other two got bored. Eventually they settled down and fell asleep next to us, seemingly quite happy in our company.

Rather than waddling these ducks were paddling in Ullswater. They were a bit far away for identification, but I think they were tufted ducks.

Ullswater Scenery

A beautiful day last Saturday at Ullswater. The photo shows the lake shore near Pooley Bridge. Note the two swans.

Looking through the trees to the lake from Dunmallard Hill at Pooley Bridge. The walk round the wooded hill takes about 30 minutes.

 A good view down the lake from Dunmallard hill.

 One of the steamers that plies between Glenridding and Pooley Bridge.

One of the steamers at Pooley Bridge Pier.

High Force after Heavy Rain

 Stayed in the Eden Valley for a few days but took a trip to High Force in Teesdale. After the heavy rain the week before the waterfall was spectacular.

 The short walk from the car park to the waterfall is very pretty.

 Note the fungi on the boulder in the centre of the photo.