Ripples And Reflections

On another afternoon of heavy rain we took a drive into the forest.

Over Lymington Road the sun attempted unsuccessfully to penetrate the brimming cloud canopy. The oak in the third picture has been remodelled by the sea air. The highest groping fingers never bear leaves.

Almost the only wildlife we saw while the rain hammered down was a pair of deer crossing Holmsley Passage ahead of us. As usual my camera missed the first one and we waited for the expected companion.

The two fords along this route are filling with rippling water.

The moors on either side of this much nibbled winding lane offered misty landscapes,

lichen covered trees,

gorse and bracken managing to look cheerful in the conditions.

Along Forest Road I stepped out to photograph a recent winterbourne pool. The Assistant Photographer was on hand to portray my progress and the whole scene because she knew I would take a closer look.

She was right.

Here is a mossy tuft;

weed, lichen,

ripples and reflections.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s watercress soup, followed by smoked haddock; creamy mashed potatoes; piquant cauliflower cheese; crunchy carrots, and tender runner beans, with which I drank more of the Costieres de Nimes.

75 comments

  1. I do like those pools of water. I love that Jackie is always there with her camera too, such a wonderful marriage you have.

  2. There’s a most successful partnership emerging here – the vista and the detail; the photographer in action…. At some opportune moment Derrick you must give us a peek at the assistant photographer photographing the photographer 😀

  3. The bare trees against the brooding grey sky make beautiful compositions. The winter rain pools and dark reflections mark the season. I love these forest drives!

  4. There is always so much to see on your walks. Before I read your description I wondered what had happened to that oak tree. That’s a dramatic picture. I sometimes take a walk to a frog pond during my break at work and last week it was frozen. I guess those frogs and goldfish are hunkering down until the temps improve.

  5. It looks like Jackie loves shooting the Shooter-in-Chief. Not that we don’t love the portraits of the gritty aficionado shooting in the rain.

  6. These photos contain a quietly beautiful magic. They make me wonder what tiny life forms have taken refuge on the mossy tufts and below the surface of the pools. I can understand wanting to take a closer look.

  7. Beautiful and curious winter trees and the lichen is so lovely too. The winter pool reminds me so much of the ponds in our woods. I am enjoying your winter adventures 🙂

  8. Your reflection photos are marvelous, as usual, Derrick, but the gloomy tree in the first ones could serve as a set for Shakespearean tragedy. You are quite brave to leave the comfort of your car and walk in this kind of weather.

  9. Those darker gloomier wetter weather days make for beautiful photos AND make us appreciate the better weather days! 🙂 The skies, the trees, the ground, the growth on the ground, the pool of water, ETC., all beautiful! 🙂
    Great photos, Jackie, of The GP crossing the road!
    Q: Why did The Great Photographer cross the road?
    A: To take photos on the other side, of course! 😉 😀
    HUGS!!! 🙂

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