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We are experiencing a little colder spell at the moment, and, this morning drove out to the forest in bright, crisp, sunshine
At the top of Mead End Road, on the outskirts of Sway, lies Boundary car park, leading to a wooded area
overlooking moorland on which, today I spotted just two distant ponies – a grey and a chestnut.
Flecks of ice still lay on the reflecting surfaces of recent pools
and crusted the muddy paths trodden by the horses
on their way down the slopes.
One pair of riders chose to keep their mounts on the road.
The lengthy log stacks, with the application of saw cuts, splits, lichen, fungi, moss, ivy, and painted lettering, contain much abstract potential.
This two-faced stump looks both jubilant and resigned at having evaded the final felling.
Reflections in waterlogged terrain, such as this at Wootton enhance much of the forest floor.
At this point an extended area sported the silvered flounces of a can-can skirt.
This evening we came back for a second sitting of Jackie’s splendid pasta arrabbiata with which I drank Reserve des Tuguets Madiran 2014.
Stunning captures! I love the descriptions ☺
Thanks very much, Lisa
ah ha; now two things about Mead end (three if you note it was the nearest direct piece of Forest proper to where we lived and was one of dad’s favourite spots… four things about Mead End) the other two being you still find a variety of orchids on the grass you can see from the car park and just beyond the grass and about half way down to the river there are hanging peat bogs that bounce like trampolines from all the moss that has matted across the top. Obviously you want to avoid any weak spots where you might go through but Dad was pretty cavalier about that risk, scaring the begeebers out of visitors as he took them across and then started, madly, jumping and setting the bounce underway while they swore or squealed depending on personal preference.
What a vivid picture–you made me laugh imagining this.
Jolly good
Lovely addenda, Geoff. Many thanks
😀
Now you have me wondering what exactly “crisp sunshine” looks like. 🙂 Love those flounces, Derrick.
Thanks a lot Sylvia. You feel it 🙂
Of course. 😃
🙂
Derrick these are wonderful.
Thanks very much, Lonely
You create poetry with images 🙂
Many thanks, Mary. Much appreciated
Wonderful images, and commentary. I particularly love the trees reflected in the water, and the ice “can can skirts’. It’s very calming to gaze at those pictures. Thanks for sharing. Karen
Very many thanks, Karen
I love the two faced tree stumps, and I’ve never seen so many reflections in the water. Amazing!
Many thanks, Cathi
You are right, Derrick, about the texture potential of those wood stacks. The close ups are great.
Thanks very much, Roland
You have such a keen eye, Derrick. Lovely photos and descriptions. The large photo with the reflections can join your magical trail photos.
(And the pasta sounds amazing.) 🙂
Very many thanks, Merril
I love the cool snaps, everything so fresh and crisp. Love the photos – wish I had Jacky’s pasta!
Many thanks, GP
I just love you photos!! such a splendid landscape you have access to!!
Many thanks, Cote – we are very fortunate
I love your photo essays.
Many thanks, Rupali
That tree stump is great! The lower face is reminiscent of Grumpy Cat……
Many thanks, Pauline
Beautiful shots, Derrick. I always love your reflection shots!
Many thanks, Jill
Love the reflections, the stump and the can-can skirt frill of ice.
Many thanks, Clare
Looks like a gorgeous crisp day. Yes that wood pile has so much potential
Many thanks, Lynn
Wonderful photos of reflections in the water. Better watch out for the two-faced stump. Could be up to no good.
Thanks very much, Laurie
Amazingly beautiful captures. I loved the picture of the two-faced stump… 🙂
Many thanks, Maniparna
Such a delight. Do you ever ride horses yourself? Just wondering.
I also have to say, just the thought of you and yours having a sit down after a few hours of wandering that lovely countryside and having a drink of wine…it renews my faith in humankind.
Very many thanks, Paul. I don’t ride. I sat on one once. 🙂
Heh, heh, heh … two-faced stump! 😀
Glad you liked it, Widders. Many thanks
Nature’s own finest silk adorn the streams: excellent photography, Derrick. Much above, I nearly missed the chestnut chap till I enlarged the picture. The feeling that you bestowed upon the stump transformed it into a brooding existence from the deadwood it is.
Many thanks, Uma. Actually, I didn’t see the chestnut chap until I got it on screen
Your creativity shows up in your camera work and your writing, and it all seems effortless!
Thanks very much, Diane
I see you’ve found your own ice! Great shots, as always 🙂
Many thanks, Dorinda
What beautiful photography you have presented so skillfully with your descriptions
Very many thanks, Geetha
Most welcome Derrick 🙂
Love these—especially the moody reflecting pools.
Many thanks, Leslie
ice can can skirts…marvelous…
Many thanks, Pamela
My favourite are the reflective photos…it is like being there
Many thanks, Pleasant
Superb work
Please follow me and give your suggestions on my poetry:)
Spring ice makes for some artistic photos.
It was 33 degrees here this morning, warming to 66 this afternoon. This is a bit unusual for February here.
Thanks a lot, Lavinia. Not unusual for us
You have a good eye for capturing the elegant designs of nature. I’m fascinated by how many trees and stumps have faces in them.
🙂 Many thanks, JoAnna
Welcome! 🙂
Excellent wood pile shots, though some of the shots made me feel distinctly chilly. 🙂
Yes, it has been a bit nippy. Many thanks, Quercus