Autumn colours

Last night we thoroughly enjoyed the talk by Luke Massey on being a wildlife photographer. It was so interesting to find out about all the wildlife he photographs in urban areas, like the otters living in Singapore waterways and the peregrines breeding in a high rise building in Chicago. He then awarded the prizes and Thomas won second prize in the 12-17 years category - he won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year book and a voucher for courses - and I won second prize in the 18+ category and won a nights stay at Elmley Nature Reserve which is a lovely prize to receive. 

This morning I took Murdoch to get groomed and he is looking much neater again. The groomer found an enormous tick on him which is surprising as he has not walked in areas of long grass for some time, and I wondered if the deer were bringing ticks into our garden, which is rather worrying if that is the case.

I then had to go up to Kingston to get some things and I walked down to the river where I took this image. The autumn colours can now be seen but the light was not very good as it had just stopped raining. The autumn colours seem late this year and don't seem as spectacular as last year, but it may still be too early in the season to decide upon that.

Its half term next week, so we are going up to see Adam in Cambridge on Saturday as Thomas does not have a rugby match. Gavin is going to New York next week on business for a few days and as it is half term he has managed to get some tickets (partly on airmiles) for Thomas and I to join him - it will only be  quick 4 day visit but should be exciting for Thomas and I to explore the city together.