Late light beech with leprechaun

Beech trunks in late afternoon.  The light was gorgeous, really golden.  (The colour here is actually desaturated by a tenth.)  It's been a fabulously beautiful day, starting with white frost and continuing with crisp air and blue skies right through the day.  After my excruciating physio session (don't you think - look away now, guys - that like being in labour it would be so much better if you could let out a yelp now and then?)..  Um, where was I?  After physio I went for a walk on Compton Down, which is where I found this image.

Oh, and in Extras: I saw 3 red admiral butterflies in the park yesterday, but thought after the chilly night they would all be gone.  Hey presto, though, I saw another today, rather tatty, poor thing, but fluttering about and enjoying the sunshine.  What incredibly tough little creatures they are..

Happy Monday evening  xx