Monday in Nature Weekly Photo Dec 22, 2014

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<p><strong>Basic Guidelines</strong>: Nature based subject matter. Please, declare captive subjects. Keep your image at/under 700 pixels on the long axis for in-line viewing and try to keep file size under 300kb. Note that this includes photos hosted off-site at Flicker, Photobucket, your own site, etc. Feel free to link your image to a larger version.<br>

<strong><em>In the strictest sense, nature photography should not include hand of man elements. Please refrain from images with obvious buildings or large manmade structures like roads. A bird on the fence post or bug on your finger is fine. Try to minimize man made features, keep the focus on nature, and let common sense be your guide. Let's post one image per week. </em></strong><em>More details please <a href="/nature-photography-forum/00cgtY">check here</a>.</em></p>

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<p>Merry Monday Greetings,<br>

We're as surrounded by holidays as we are by nature. The solstice has passed, and many folks are lighting candles or wrapping presents. Best wishes for the seasonal celebrations that fill your days and nights.<br>

Above freezing temperatures and even small fungi like <em>Galerina autumnalis</em> felt like a gift. Every day in nature feels that way, especially Monday in Nature. Come and spread some good cheer.</p><div></div>

<p>Seasonal greetings! Gills of a <em>Hygrocybe; </em>can't cap this by waxing lyrical...</p><div></div>

<p>While I could post a mushroom picture, I don't want anyone to think this is a mycophilic thread. Instead I'm posting a piece of wood, worn by the elements.</p><div></div>

<p>A touch of green....</p><div></div>

<p>From yesterday's hike along the AT. I bet there are a few gazillion fungi hiding somewhere in that frame. :-)</p><div></div>

<p>We had ice fog on Saturday morning at -18C. Ice crystals were growing on everything including eyelashes. Christoph has captured 'fog' quite well in his post. I find it challenging to express the concept of weather (hot, cold, windy, foggy, drizzle, etc.) through an image except when the weather is at some extreme.</p><div></div>

<p>3rd attempt</p><div></div>

<p>I went out locally for a walk here, the only bird life were a few distant Great Blue Herons, a Titmouse, and a busy Downy Woodpecker. We need some snow!<br>

<br />Meantime another image from deep in the middle of inter on the North Island of New Zealand, a Tui.</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17850316-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="553" /><br>

Tui, North Island, New Zealand. Pentax K3, Sigma 400mm f5.6 APO version 2.</p>

<p>ice formations on my pond from overnight</p><div></div>

<p>I thought I would have some fun-gus this week. This was growing out of the leaf litter in the walnut orchard I live in. Since I know nothing about mushrooms I can't say anything about them other then they are quite large. This one is just under 4 inches and its companion growing alongside just under 5 inches. The rains in Northern California have really helped and we are all hoping for more. The reservoirs are filling, all we need now is a good snow pack for the long term. In many areas the water table is low because of increased pumping and the rains will surely help there too. Happy Holidays to all. </p><div></div>

<p>Rick I would argue that your branch shot is being eroded by the elements AND fungal activity so maybe it is following the mycophilic thread ;)</p>

<p>Cool ice shot, Thom.</p>

<p>In keeping with ice here's one from Acadia National Park.</p>

<p><a href="/photo/17921938&size=lg"><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17921938-md.jpg" alt="Acadia water fall" width="679" height="518" border="0" /></a></p>

<p>Our little resident Buck at the park where we walk every day. </p><div></div>

<p>Wishing everyone peace, joy and serenity as the cycle of the New Year begins again </p><div></div>

<p>We haven't had a snow yet but the forest is looking like winter.</p><div></div>

<p><strong>Take Off</strong></p>

<p><a title="Take Off by David Stephens, on Flickr" href=" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7469/16058178561_eb8683051d_c.jpg" alt="Take Off" width="800" height="800" /></a></p>

<p>My only photos this week follow the mycophilic thread too. Whilst tidying up the yard I found this growing on a fallen branch. Set me to wondering what environmental factors cause the different colors - maybe rainfall, humidity, or temperature? Pondering the mysteries of nature leads to much more merry thoughts than reading the news - as all who contribute here already know. EOS 5D2 / EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM; 1/50s at f/11 ISO 800.</p><div></div>

<p>Little bit of solitude....</p><div></div>

<p>Very enjoyable images so far. This is a sight from the recent rains. Best holiday wishes.</p><div></div>

<p>Edwin - point taken :)</p>

<p>The birds have been generous to leave some berries on my winterberry bushes for Christmas. Let's have a Merry one!</p><div></div>

<p>There's probably some fungi on this duck somewhere. Love these hybrids. Sigma 150-500 @ 500.</p><div></div>

<p>thanks Edwin......and your B&W comp from Acadia was nicely done as well.......:)</p>

<p>Mushrooms? At the risk of perpetuating a mycophilic thread I feel it is my duty to post this image. Why? Because mushrooms live such fleeting lives, and surely it is our duty to capture them as best we can.</p><div></div>

<p>This male Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) decided to land on the fence next to my house. He hung around just long enough for me to scoop up a camera. Hope the bit of fence isn't too much hom ?</p><div></div>

<p>“Christmas Tree” above the tree line…</p><div></div>