Amazingness

Warner Road (3), London, SE5

Nobody! Because the doodling is actually happening from the very inside of the leaf!

There is a tiny insect larva in there, munching its meandering way, boring a path through the cells of the leaf, leaving in its wake this translucent tunnel.

The dark spot at the end of the doodle – the eye – is actually the insect larva. Following the trail back to where it began, it gets noticeably thinner and thinner until it peters out entirely. This is where the larva first entered the leaf, as a much tinier being than it is now. Ever since, it has been chomping its way to its current size.

There are lots of insects whose larvae do this, and each one makes a different type of pattern. They are all called leafminers, for obvious reasons.

Morna Road (5), London, SE5

Yesterday, barely able to shuffle around thanks to some seriously aching muscles, earned by playing football for the first time in six years, I was unable to go for any outdoor explorations.

Luckily, I remembered to look out of the window.

Keswick House, Crawford Estate, London, SE5

Every so often at this time of year, a really windy day comes along.

Watching this tree was a pleasure. Contrasting with the stillness of the surrounding buildings, the frenzied waving of the branches was really extravagant.

Buffeted this way and that by the wind, I couldn’t stand still either. However, my response was a little less dramatic, and consisted solely of some gentle wobbling.

Manor Place, London, SE17

I’ve been trying to find out why it is that some trees grow all twisty like this.

Actually it isn’t at all uncommon, but I haven’t yet discovered anyone with a definitive answer to explain it. Two popular theories are that the spiralling is genetic and confers greater structural strength to the tree, or that it occurs due to subtle movements of the tree following the path of the sun each day.

Whatever the reason, this tree, standing on its own in the middle of a small patch of grass, has a phenomenal and wonderful twist.

Howson Road, London, SE4

Do you know who we’re waiting for??

Valmar Road (4), London, SE5

I found this leaf on the pavement this morning, on my way to buy milk for that most important of important things – the first cup of tea of the day.

I was really struck by its amazing crinkly colour patterns, and how it has almost taken on the shape of a whole new leaf, as the spaces in between the stems have dried out, turned brown, and crumpled off.

It was this bright and shiny top side that first grabbed my attention.

But along came the wind, and off bounced the leaf…only to reveal a completely different, more subtle, but just as beautiful, colour experience.

I had to show both sides.

Valmar Road (5), London, SE5

Knatchbull Road, London, SE5

Bright blue skies; glorious sunshine; a slight breeze; yellow, orange, red and green leaves; unseasonably warm weather…it’s just so gorgeous out there!

Enjoy your weekend!

St Alfege Park, London, SE10

On Saturday, I ran a fun, free photography workshop for the Viewfinder Photography Gallery. Our aim was to find faces in objects and photograph them in the best way possible to show the face and expression.

This is one that I found. I love how crusty lichen has grown big bushy eyebrows above both his knotty eyes, and a little bit on his nose.

I wonder what it is about the knots that have attracted the lichen to grow above them? Perhaps it’s because the surface is a little bit bumpier so the lichen can hang on more easily?

High Walkway, Heygate Estate (4), London, SE17

Inside this spiky shell is a sweet chestnut.

This one won’t yet be ripe for eating, but those that fall from the trees in a few weeks time (late October), can be cooked up and turned into some tasty snacks.

They can easily be roasted, but be careful! If you don’t first slice a big X on the flat side, before roasting, after a while they will ferociously explode out of their shells…although this does indicate they are fully roasted and ready for munching, so it can be a good idea to leave one non-sliced, as it will act as a timer.

Alternatively, they can be made into soup, or cooked up into some delicious sweets or jam. Here are some recipes. I think I will go collecting when they are ripe and make some Marron Glaces for my Mum. She really loves them.

Morna Road (4), London, SE5

It’s that time of the year again when blustery winds help relieve trees of their drying, dying leaves…

…which means there are lots of beautifully coloured and shapely leaves drifting around curbsides, and hanging about on pavements, ready and waiting to be rustled up again with some happy kicking.