Thursday 31 May 2012

Sunday 27 May 2012

Splintered woods












The weather has taken its toll on Burley Old's huge trunked leviathans. A tree, weakened by the climatic seesaw of extremes in wet and dry, has finally succumbed to strong winds and now lays prone amongst last years leafs. It did not fall alone, it's path to terra firma struck another which is now also laying horizontal. The removal of two mature crowns from the canopy has opened this area of the wood up to light and in time, new life as colonizers move in; for now it has created an oasis of illumination with the shaded stands.

Burley Old in May

Friday 25 May 2012

Avon Water

It is unlikely that Avon Water will look like this by next season, the pink spray marks adorning trunk and bough along the stream banks condemn a tree or shrub. Change is coming.

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Ramsons

Ramsons, or wild garlic Allium ursinum grow in deciduous woodlands with moist soils and where they are found the usually cover large areas of woodland floor and create an unmistakable odour. All parts of the plant are edible; the leafs can be used as salad, as a codiment, boiled as a vegetable or as an ingredient for pesto, the bulbs can be used as garlic and the flowers used in salads.

Saturday 19 May 2012

Rhinefeild Sandy's

Sundown on a strange day.

Thursday 17 May 2012

A message for our time

The forests graffiti always takes me a back, often putting a smile on my face or setting my mind wandering or dispensing wisdom. As I strolled through Puckpits, deep in thought, a tree gave me a sign, simple and to the point, and certainly suited to our times; carved into a mature Beech, battered by storms of old and probably created in a time of need, one word, covered in moss almost to obscurity...'HOPE'.

Wednesday 16 May 2012

It's all gone green!

The recent damp weather has brought the forest into full growth; all plant the life, stifled by the unnaturally dry winter have let themselves go and the woodland is a sea of greens.

Saturday 12 May 2012

Wilverley

The warmth of the Sun has brought the woodland to life. The patchwork stands of deciduous and coniferous that make up Wilverley are full of life. The tree tops are filled with eager bird song, the woodland floor a hive of activity too and the air heady with the sweet smell of sap released by the Sun.

Friday 11 May 2012

Barrow Moor

The strange weather and late rains have brought the forests wet places to life, the wet fingers of woodland bog which extend through much of the woodland are green and vibrant, teaming with life.

Thursday 10 May 2012

Chicken of the woods

The first sighting of 'Chicken of the Woods' this year. Two young clumps bursting out of a well decayed trunk, picked now they'd be a culinary treat or left a while they'd still taste great and go a lot further.

Tuesday 8 May 2012

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Beltaine

Beltaine.

Beltaine sunrise comes around; through leaf and bud new life abounds.
Beneath the Moon, beneath the Sun; the God and Goddess again as one.
The Queen of May, the Wildwood King; joined together as spring birds sing.
Timeless vows, again renewed; throughout the land new life imbued.
As flowers bloom across our land; we take our lovers by the hand.
And lead them to our secret places; there, rejoice in loves embraces.
Up on the hills, Bel fires burn bright; in the joys of nature, we all delight.
Whatever your path, or tradition; in the coming season, may your dreams see fruition.

Beltaine Blessing y'all