Shell Bay

Dune shroom

Amazing how even in seemingly inhospitable environments all sorts of life can find their niche, or a least a niche where they can survive. Amongst the shifting marin grass dunes, just beyond the reach of intertidal waves, two small mushrooms have found a spot and thrive.

Brackish wet woodland

Old soldiers

Old Soldiers of 20th century conflicts, never tested in battle, now neglected and nearly forgotten, slowly crumble into the gently lapping waters of Bramble Bay as threatening storm clouds gather overhead.

Hurst

Summer Solstice

Though the wheel of the year is in continual motion,
now the Sun rests briefly at its Zenith; the Oak king still rules.

Todays sun is at his strongest, light and life abundant;
tomorrow begins its waning journey into darkness and the Holly Kings domain.

The longest day sees the burgeoning seeds of spring begin to bear fruit,
the land is bedecked in all its green finery and the promise of generous harvests to come.

Rest not on your laurels, there is still work to be done;
nurture your dreams as you would your plants, for fruition in both requires diligence.

White Foxglove

White Foxgloves (digitalis purpurea alba) are rare and even rarer to find growing in the wild amongst their more common relatives. So coming across some deep in mature Oak and Beech woodland was a real pleasure.

Refresher

Sweet damp scents pervade throughout the forest, revived by the life giving attributes of fresh clean rainfall the land bursts into life, the greens appear deeper, greener, more varied in their hue, making the purples of tall elegant Foxgloves radiate with renewed vigour. Highland Water, being the longest tributary of the Lymington River, extending high into inner forest and being blessed with a large catchment area, sees its flow increased as the rain water leaches quickly off the still sun hardened ground. The filigree of tiny tributaries which criss cross the landscape carries the life giving fluids too swiftly for much long term benefit to be afforded to the water hungry flora and fauna.

Oysters

Walking during the rain I was rewarded by some fresh Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are a common sight in the forest; growing on a variety of trees, although usually associated with Beech, the make fine displays in a variety of colours and to be found nearly all year round. Some of these eaten on my return home and good they were too!

Dead wood

Ch ch ch changes

Only a few weeks ago I posted about the thinning of trees and shrubbery along the banks of Fletchers Water, through the section where the stream runs along a dead straight route due to drainage works during the Victorian period. Well, it doesn't run straight anymore. Extensive works have restored the stream to one of its earlier courses. Fletcher Water no longer joins Highland Water here anymore.

Root stump

I don't know what made this Beech take this course of action, but whatever it was rather than face it this tree buried its head in the ground. A course of action that'll get you nowhere.

High Chaperal

Just within the woodland fringe is a well structured, and evidence would suggest, well used wild camp site. Surrounded by natural and constructed features forming a stockade style encampment, a central fire and ample firewood supplies make this spot an attractive overnight location.

Birken Wood

Lilly was here in 1960

River Flow

River flow? Oh, no! You can walk for a mile or so along Dockens Water between Queen North Wood and the foot bridge where Anses Wood joins Holly Hatch enclosure on bare gravels. After the foot bridge there is a modicum of water, yet this is still stale and for all intents and purposes motionless, barely covering the stream bed. Not a good sign and not good for forest wildlife.

Dancing Ledge

Postbridge

Sittaford Tor

It has been too long since I've been on Dartmoor. Sittaford Tor, 538m above sea level, looking south.

Huntley Bank Leviathon

Deep in Huntly bank, almost invisible amongst the other mature Oaks and Beech, shielded too by the younger and smaller trees and shrubs is another woodland leviathan. As with the Flat Oak, this beauty is 6m or so in circumference and must have stood at least since the time of Good Queen Bess. It's a privilege to be in the presence of such a tree.