Scarlet Elf Cup

We were at Linford Lakes again today at the Green Gym.  This week and next we'll be building a willow screen to enable people to observe the nesting herons.  Today was about clearing a gap by the water's edge where the screen will go, and coppicing the willow we'll need to build the screen. As the first job involved wearing waders and getting in the water, Polly H and I opted for the willow coppicing along with a couple of others.

It was only a couple of degrees when I set off, so like everyone else I'd put lots of layers on.  But as the temperature rose and the sun came out, it transformed into a beautiful day and the layers had to be adjusted!!!

The main photo is of Scarlet Elf Cup, an edible mushroom which is around about Jan to early April and can be found on dead wood.  As I want to keep a record of what we do in the Green Gym, I've included a couple of extras.  The first shows the pile of willow for use next week. The second is of the clearing where we were taking the willow, this tree looked so beautiful against the clear blue sky.