10 glorious photographs that will remind you why you love Autumn

As autumn arrives we always realise how much we love this time of year. The sadness of saying goodbye to summer is instantly alleviated by the rich colours of the woodland and welcome smells of woodsmoke and moss.

It’s also the sporting season for those who enjoy country pursuits, and the best time of year to bottle hedgerow wines and liqueurs.

Ready for battle: just before dawn, a fallow deer prepares to ward off other suitors. Britain’s red and sika deer also rut in the autumn

autumn lake grasmere — Still lakeside reflections at Grasmere in the Lake District, Cumbria, England, UK

Double the delight: Autumn’s fire reflected in Grasmere in the Lake District

Tawny owl chicks — Tawny Owl Strix aluco Single adult perching on tree stump Yorkshire, UK 1092974 Please read our licence terms agreed by you when registering on our website at www.rspcaphotolibrary.com. All digital images must be deleted after authorised use unless otherwise agreed in writing. Photograph by Paul Hobson www.rspcaphotolibrary.com Tel: 0300 123 0402 Fax: 0870 753 0048 email: pictures@rspcaphotolibrary.com

Listen out for the tawny owl’s calls, which are most frequent in the autumn as they establish their territories

Sycamore seeds wheel through the air

A hazel dormouse builds up its fat reserves for hibernation

Magnificent beech trees — Beechwood in atumn

A magnificent stand of beech trees

Conkers await picking up and schoolboy stringing

Our hedges are filled with fluffy white old man’s beard; the seedheads of Clematis vitalba, ready to be dispersed in the breeze

October's full moon – sometimes known as the Hunter’s Moon – arrives on October 5

Autumn colour at Mount Stewart, Northern Ireland

11 of the best places in Britain to enjoy Autumn colour

A riot of autumnal splendour has broken out across the country.

Top five autumn recipes

Read our top five most popular autumn recipes using everything from elderberries to mushrooms in our autumn food recipe round

How to make Tarte Tatin and 'Apple Hat' pudding this autumn

Simon Hopkinson suggests two sumptuous apple puddings for autumn: tarte tartin and 'apple hat'.

10 tips on how to forage this autumn

Foraging is more popular then ever – Hetty Chidwick squares up to the squirrels and shares some top tips for

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