October sees the the start of the true Autumn colours coming through, the more extravagant sunsets, the cooler and misty dawns, and the evenings drawing in. Autumn has always been my favourite season and am really looking forwards to embracing it at every opportunity.

 

During this month, I made several trips to the New Forest to enjoy the rustic colours, and go hunting for Fungi. Always good fun and the New Forest is the perfect wonderland to explore. It was also a great time to see the Pannage pigs out in the forest, forging for acorns. This year has seen an abundance of acorns and the pigs were released early, and are also due to stay out until much later this year (until early December). On one afternoon, I came across 10 black piglets, all lined up, basking in the sunshine whilst their mum feasted along the verge.

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I only made it out to see the Hares a few times after work, before the clocks changed. Still a few showing, but they tend to venture more into the woods through Autumn and Winter - where they become known as 'Wood Cats'.

 

I did get to fit in a trip up to Stourhead with a friend. A beautiful National Trust location, famous for it's Autumn colours around the vast lake there, which make for some wonderful reflections. It was probably a week early to see it all peeking (due to a lot of rain, Autumn leafs took a little longer to turn colour this year). It was an enjoyable day out and we made sure we arrived early to enjoy some tranquility, before the coach load of tourists arrived. We also climbed up King Alfred's Tower there, to get some great views looking down on the Autumn colour.

 

I also made the most of a couple of lovely, misty sunrises we got this month ...before it returned to the usual grey and drizzly weather. I do long for the colder, crisper and brighter mornings - which are hopefully on the way and will bring ideal photo opportunities.