Barque and barquentine

We spotted a couple of sailing ships in Dorset

On our recent trip to the Dorset coast we were lucky enough to see several tall ships – and after a bit of research I think I can now tell the difference between a barque and a barquentine.

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Turnstones leave no stone unturned

A turnstone (Arenaria interpres) at Weymouth, September 2015 – I have tweaked the image a little in PhotoShop for effect

We are just back from a few days in Dorset and I am pleased with some of the pictures I snapped, despite the fact that we had heavy rain at times. The biggest treat for me was spotting some turnstones on a small stretch of seaweed-covered shingle in Weymouth.

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2015 tree following 8: Before the fall

The green is fading from the leaves of the empress tree

It’s September, the start of autumn, but for the most part the empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) in Bute Park, Cardiff, is still leafy and green. A wet summer may have helped.

This time I approached the tree from the “wrong” direction again, as I took the husband for breakfast at the Summerhouse cafe in the park first. I nipped around behind the cafe to snap the tree while he finished his bacon, egg and sausage sandwich with a knife and fork.

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Another plant of mystery identified

This street plant is springing up all over Cardiff

I like to see a street plant that’s new to me and this one has been springing up all over the pavements in Cardiff this summer. I think I know what it is but do you want to have a go at naming it before I tell you?

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