Fences in use - Good Fences 42

A fence can have many uses; it just depends on your point of view.

Garden fence - June 2014

The tall blue flowers are Delphiniums, those at the left are Geraniums and the light blue on the right are Canterbury Bells. The pink flowers, just in shot, are Foxgloves. All these break up the view of the fence.

View from Whitby pier towards the aptly named Sandsend

The railing on the breakwater/harbour wall at Whitby has been put to a different use.

Railing 'painted' by the birds

Meanwhile one of Britain's colourful birds uses the top rail of a fence for beam exercises.

Chaffinch

How many marks out of ten for his performance?

This has been post for  

at Good-Fences-42.

Fun(gi) Favourites - Thematic Photography

When it comes to showing more of my favourite shots I couldn't resist having a little fungi,

Jew's Ear Fungus (Auricularia auricula) - 2007

This grows on old wood and is soft and velvety to the touch. What's more it's edible and recipes for Jew's Ear Soup  exist. I've never been brave enough to try this.

Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) - Tresco, 2008

Apparently this is also edible but beware there is a very similar 'shaggy' mushroom that causes stomach problems.

In 2014 I found this on on the grass verge between Kirklevington and Yarm. Having seen its appearance change from day to day I doubt that it is edible and I'm not sure what it is.

 Two days later it looked like this.

One to leave alone

Today I had a different kind of fun and took my first photo of the year - somehow I think it mighty figure in my year end favourites too.

It was the light that caught my attention. - the sky was black and not as blue as it appears.

For more favourite shots cross over to  Carmi at Thematic--faves-all-time.

Lunar New Year - Sunday Stamps II

I searched high and low for astrological signs but came up with none. I had to settle for Lunar New Year stamps sent to me by Jo in Canada.

Canada 2013 - Year of the Snake

Year of the Horse 2014

The next Chinese New Year starts on 19 February. I'll keep my fingers crossed that I obtain a stamp for this as well.

Meanwhile I shall have to admire the astrological signs at Sunday Stamps II

Fenced In - Good Fences 41

I've dug out some more fences from my archives this week.

If you look closely you may be able to see someone sitting, fenced in, on the veranda.

You don't need iron bars to create a 'prison'.

All three dogs have crossed the Rainbow Bridge since this photo was taken, so hopefully they no longer feel fenced in.

The local prison that I pass most days of the week has an iron fence alongside the road. Sometimes it can look quite attractive when the road has been wet.

Prison Fence, Kirklevington

Icicles

So far this winter there has been no snow so all you can see is the plain iron fence.

This post is linked to Good-fences-41.

Last Shot of 2014

Happy New Year to everyone.

Curlew on the edge of the River Tees

Favourite Photos of the Year - Thematic Photography

I have found it difficult to pick just one favourite for Carmi's theme. So here's a selection of the ones I, and my wife, have chosen. 

Please tell me which one you like the best.

Bullfinch recovering from an encounter with a window.

Michigan - fall almost over

Fuchsia - often overlooked at the side of our drive

Grey squirrel on grass verge (North Yorkshire)

There has to be a favourite dog, but my wife is not keen on this picture - she loves the dog.

A close encounter with Scout

For favourites chosen by others cross over to, and follow the links at, Thematic-photographic-322.

Toys for Christmas - Sunday Stamps II

In 1968 the Christmas stamps show children with toys, just right for this week's theme.

Great Britain - Christmas 1968

In addition to the 'Children with Rocking Horse' and the 'Boy with Train Set' there was a third (9d) stamp of a 'Girl with Doll's House' which I need to complete the set.

The 2003 series of Classic Transport Toys included this:- 

Great Britain - 18 September 2002

It doesn't seem 65 years ago that I had a Meccano set (I wonder what happened to it) with which I spent many happy hours. I never built a plane with it, as far as I can remember.

To play around with other toys please visit the links at Sunday-stamps-II