Shadow-Streaked Woodland

Although still cold, today was brighter and sunnier, casting long shadows early this afternoon, so we took a short forest drive after lunch.

Tempting me out of the car, a trio of ponies grazed or snoozed on the moorland outside Sway.

I then tramped over the shadow-streaked woodland floor featuring meandering fingers of mossy roots carpeted with golden, glinting, leaves on the approach to Bisterne Close.

This area has its share of decaying trees gradually returning to the soil;

and of scooped out bowls of winterbourne pools reflecting now skeletal trees on their surface on which float fallen leaves slowly descending like rocking canoes onto their clear beds.

Although the anonymous knitter of Pilley Street appears to have stopped decorating her letter box with the death of Queen Elizabeth, the group in Tiptoe Road are continuing their work.

This Christmas offering was rather windswept when I photographed it on our way home.

This evening we dined on tender roast lamb; crisp Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes, some softer ones being sweet; crunchy carrots; firm broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower, and meaty gravy with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden, I drank more of the Gran Selone, and Flo and Dillon drank fruit juice cordial.

72 comments

  2. Wonderful shadowy images of the woodland, Derrick. We found it interesting that someone has taken up and continues the tradition of decorating the letter drop box.

    Reply

  5. I’m always amazed at the lack of undergrowth in your woods. Does it have to do with the grazing? Regardless, you’ve captured them in all their light and darkness and color and texture. I didn’t realize how much I missed the ponies.

    Reply

  9. You have some really beautiful photographs there, Derrick, with the dead leaves and the long shadows, but my favourite one has the “fingers of mossy roots” reaching through the leaf litter. It’s an LP cover of the early 1970s, just waiting for the call!

    Reply

  10. Oh .. what a wonderful white pony photo, and think my “White Pony” poem from our book Perceptions needs a replay, Derrick …
    “White Pony’

    If I were to be reincarnated
    I’m sure I’d be a tall white pony
    A flashy show-jumping horse
    Who knows his arduous course?
    Hurdling coloured bars
    And clearing hard brush fences

    A swimmer, I’ve always been
    So, the perilous water hazard
    Would be a simple breeze
    A shadow passed over, with ease
    As my reflection in the pond
    Magically vanished under my rider’s wand

    Turning sharply on the pitch
    Nearing the finishing stretch
    I see more obstacles ahead
    The doubles and triples, I dread
    Without fear, forward I bound
    Up, over and gliding down
    My red-haired rider, she’s blushing and proud
    Hearing loud applause, we bow to the crowd

    Reply

  14. I loved these words and the images they describe: “….the shadow-streaked woodland floor featuring meandering fingers of mossy roots carpeted with golden, glinting, leaves. Some roots and decaying trunks look like sculptures.

    Reply

  15. Leaves abound in this post – so important for returning nutrients to the soil. You often depict the ageing trees: as photographic as they are, I am left wondering if there are new ones growing up somewhere to take their place.

    Reply

  18. Love the light and shadows and the artistic masterpieces they create! Thank you for capturing them in such beautiful photos!
    We need to follow the ponies example and have some days in which we just graze and snooze, graze and snooze! 😉 😀
    (((HUGS))) 🙂
    PS… “Don’t be afraid of the shadows, it only means there is a light nearby.” – Amy Lee

    Reply

  23. That looks like an Appaloosa pony, if a bit light-colored. I enjoy the woods you photograph because they have a moderately unkept look. While I enjoyed walking and biking in German forests, they are a bit tidy for my taste!

    Reply

  26. I love the winter woodland scenes, Derrick and Jackie. The ponies are looking woolly again, too. We are not going to be seeing much of that beautiful angled light this week, as the rain is settling in again. There is a thick fog about this morning, and it is below freezing.

    Reply

  27. I forgot to mention the post box knitters. I am sorry the one stopped after the death of the Queen, but glad the other is still at it. I enjoy seeing the knitters’ work, too.

    Reply

Leave a Reply