woodland snowdrops

 

  

 

A snatched hour to stretch the legs and get some air on a very blustery winter's day. I went to a near by beech wood which we call the bluebell wood as come May it is carpeted with them. At this time of year far corner of the wood is white with snowdrops emerging through the leaf litter. They must have been planted there a long time ago, and I often wonder by whom. I am very grateful to them as their simple beauty en-mass is a tonic to the senses at this bitterly cold time of year.

Oh and look... the bluebells are coming!

a sunday walk

 

 

A Sunday morning walk across the fields in beautiful frosty weather. Winter sunlight... love it!

snow prints

'Animals, Tracks & Signs' was a favourite childhood book which always comes to mind when I see prints in the snow. Delicate bird prints always delight. Today after a light dusting of snow, spotting Mr Brock's trail for the first time made me want reach for that book again. 

the hawthorn tree in january

 

The hawthorn tree is looking very similar to last month... so instead of more photographs of lichen covered branches (as much as I love them!), I thought I'd try doing some sketching. I've been wanting to get back into drawing again and this seemed the perfect opportunity to start. With the absence of leaves, it was nice to focus on the twisting shapes of the trunk; the cracks in the bark; the thorny silhouettes of the branches and the frilly outlines of the lichen. 

It was a tranquil half an hour - if rather chilly in the cold January wind. Something I definitely want to do more of.

Joining in with Loose and Leafy's 'Tree Following' project.

the field in december

 

 

 

 

Everything sparkled in the field with frost and the grass crunched underfoot as I walked. The sky was clear, woodpeckers were drumming on the trees and robins flitted from bush to bush looking for food. Even when the trees and wildflowers are dormant the field is glorious on a day like this.

christmas walk

 

 

 

 

 

The Christmas Day (and birthday for one of us!) walk. This year we went up and over Moel y Golfa with amazing views of the Severn floodplains. Nestled between two other Briedden hills, Middletown Hill and Rodney's Pillar, Moel y Golfa has two gypsy king monuments to add a point of interest, as if the views weren't enough. The light of the sinking sun was a beautiful end to a special day.

the hawthorn tree in december

 

 

 

The stalks of the absent berries enhance the hawthorn tree's thorny silhouette. A lone fly rests amongst the lichen on a branch. Bereft of leaves and haws, a chance to see the maze of trunk and branches which are peppered with lichens. 

Joining in with Loose and Leafy's 'Tree Following' project.