During this pleasantly sunny morning, I was mostly dead heading while Jackie continued with her general garden maintenance.
After lunch I posted https://derrickjknight.com/2021/08/07/a-knights-tale-12-the-night-of-the-panther/
We had been promised light showers for the afternoon, and this is how it began, so my Chauffeuse drove me to the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive and parked in one of the designated car parks while I took a walk. The rain kept coming, but it was mild and sporadic enough for me to set off for twenty minutes each way, crunching along a gravel path and pine cones carpeting the forest floor
through the majestic giant redwoods and their neighbours
some of which, having fallen, would take their time returning to the soil. In answer to Yvonne comment below, I have discovered that “Managing forest land often generates lots of woody branches, pieces of trees and other loose woody material — slash in other words — from tree harvesting or thinning. While many landowners and managers look upon this material as a disposal dilemma, it also is a rich, and frequently overlooked, opportunity for to enhance wildlife habitat. Arranging slash materials into piles can provide birds, mammals and other wildlife in the forest with the food, water, space and cover they need.” (https://washingtondnr.wordpress.com/2017/02/14/not-just-another-stack-of-dead-branches-habitat-piles-for-wildlife/)
I believe Forestry Commission volunteers make the stacks we see.
At first there were many other groups of walkers taking a similar route.
This was to change in a moment, as quiet adult voices and shrill cries of children were drowned by the increasing crescendo of pattering precipitation misting the trees,
puddling the path, and running down my specs and my camera lens.
This was at my turn round point and continued, soaking me to the skin beneath my allegedly showerproof jacket, until my mud-spattered sandals, sans socks, reached the car. Just one family of three passed me in the rush to get out of the rain. The mother informed me that she had wet pants. “Is that all?” was my reply.
With all fresh ingredients, Jackie repeated yesterday’s menu for dinner tonight, with which we drank the same beverages.
Good rain related alliteration.
Yes!
And a fine response, Pat. Thanks a lot.
I was inspired.by the post 😉
Wow, those trees are huge and beautiful, Derrick. I wonder how old they are? Sorry that you got a good soaking!
Thanks a lot, John. All planted mid-nineteenth century
I was going to choose “Forest scene in downpour” as my favorite out of today’s grouping–but as drenched as you got, maybe I shouldn’t!
Feel free, Liz. It is my favourite 🙂 Thanks very much.
Trees and roots and logs and rain — all part of the forest ‘experience!’ I love the photos in this set, along with the alliterative dialog. A great post!
Thank you so very much, Janet
Oh, those trees!
Much appreciated, Laurie
What a wonderful forest of magnificent trees! I think you enjoyed being there in the rain. I certainly would, in the summertime at least.
Certainly, JoAnna – you would know. Thanks very much
Oh those puddles brought me in trouble when I was a kid. Great pictures.
They got me in trouble now I’m a big kid, Bridget. 🙂 Thanks very much
The trees are magnificent! Thank you for the lovely walk, Derrick. Wonderful!
Your comments much appreciated, Jill. Thanks a lot.
How wide were some of the first trees you posted? They must have been around well before our time. They’re beautiful.
Two giant sequoias are 8-9 metres in girth. The redwoods are about 5. All were planted in the 19th century. Thanks for asking and making me look it up, Chrissy 🙂
🙂
Just being with those trees and magnificent bark brings me into a place of stillness and appreciation. Thank you for this connection Derrick 💛🙏💛
Much appreciated, Val. Thank you
Is there someone who takes care of this portion of forest? I ask because I was curious as to who would have made those branches stacks.
The Forestry Commission does so. “Managing forest land often generates lots of woody branches, pieces of trees and other loose woody material — slash in other words — from tree harvesting or thinning. While many landowners and managers look upon this material as a disposal dilemma, it also is a rich, and frequently overlooked, opportunity for to enhance wildlife habitat. Arranging slash materials into piles can provide birds, mammals and other wildlife in the forest with the food, water, space and cover they need.” Thank you for making me look this up, Yvonne. I am adding it to the post.
Thank you!
I hope getting soaked despite the waterproof jacket has not affected your health, Derrick.
The photos showing tree trunk textures and intricate roots are fantastic, especially the black and whites.
Thanks very much, Dolly. I’m fine today 🙂
Glad to hear that, Derrick. You are very welcome.
A beautiful day even with rain.
Yes. Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
Those trees look otherworldly and majestic, and yet they are the older inhabitants of the planet, and there is an order to the world unbeknownst to us, as confirmed by the communion of rain reaching the expectant arboreal limbs. We wish we knew what those whispers meant. You have captured the magnitude and moments exceedingly well.
Thank you so much for this, Uma. It became impossible to photograph more 🙂
A walk through a redwood forest in a gentle rain, and getting soaked, sounds wonderful! The pictures are beautiful. You and Jackie would enjoy a walk through Muir Woods in California if you ever travel this far.
https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm
Thank for the reading and the link, Lavinia. I’m afraid we are unlikely to travel again
Photographs of trees and rain are balm for my soul.
Thank you so much, Anne
“Is that all?” made me snort-laugh! Great response, Derrick! 😀
Love the B&W’s of the trees…they have such beautiful character and textures!
We used to live just a few minutes from Muir Woods in Northern California and spend a lot of time with the giant redwoods! One time a group of us spread around the base of a HUGE tree…with 10 of us trying to clasp hands and circle the tree…we barely made it! Quite the trunk! 😮
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Great story, Carolyn. Thanks for the memory X
Beautiful forest–and it looks like a lovely walk till the downpour. I like the downpour photo, but I particularly like the first gallery and the photo of the tree that looks like it’s reaching toward another tree. 😀
I’m pleased. Much appreciated, Merril
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Fabulous forest photos
Thanks very much, Sheree
Fairytales and movies are made with scenes like these!!!
Thank you so much, GP
Old, craggy and surrounded by debris. Ask Jackie if the description reminds her of anything . . .
🙂 Thanks a lot
Julia says she would happily use that as a title for a (very) still life of me in my favourite chair. 🙂
Of my goodness it’s so beautiful the different photos of nature. Like a movie.
Thank you very much, More
You’re welcome Derrick
Lovely place for a walk. I think I could even handle the rain.
🙂 Thanks very much, AnneMarie
What you said about the slash makes sense, Derrick. I have learned to always have an umbrella in the UK. It just rains out of nowhere.
🙂 Thank you very much, Robbie
I like your forest pictures, there’s just something almost magical about trees.
I recently enjoyed a woodland walk too, no showers though, just a hot sunshine so I was glad to have the shade of the trees and the occasional bench on which to take a rest!
Thanks very much, Sue. I should avail myself of the benches, too – but those on this walk are really too low for me
These were a bit low for me too but I had son Joss with me. 🙂
Gorgeous photos even with the rain in the end ☔️😉
Thank you very much, Ribana