Late autumn near Peterborough

In the gloom of the forest
fallen beech leaves and extravagant ruffles of copper-hued fungus embellish dark, rain-sodden wood. 
Skinny branches of ash are starkly silhouetted against a threatening sky.
Elegant birch and elm hang on to a scatter of golden leaves. 
But only the oaks are still wrapped in dense foliage, 
now burnished by the lateness of the season. 

And everywhere there is water. 
Small leaf-filled pools in ancient tree stumps.
Flowery woodland rides turned into quagmires.
Spring-fed ponds brimming over, 
their water seeping into the surrounding grassland
where Dexter cattle quietly graze.