Winds of Change……or Gods Pruning Shears

The winds of the past few weeks, apart from being cold, have left a trail of fallen branches across the woodland floor……..

For the most part it is the weaker branches that have been brought down. An old countryman I used to know called these winds ‘Gods Pruners’ as they got rid of the weak branches, branches that any good gardener would lop off if they could reach….in truth the tree would be all the better for its trim.

But the winds also catch out the older trees that have become either weakened with age or disease like this Oak that shed a bow or two…..

It has also been wet for a greater part of last year and the damp has left its mark in the form of moss and algae on this once red brick wall now draped in ivy and distinctly green…..

Apart from destruction and signs of age there is also signs of new life to come.  Here on this woodland glade a mix of daffodils and bluebells are starting to thrust their new green shoots through the golden brown carpet of last years leaves that even the strong winds have not managed to sweep away……

Most of the day has been spent at the desk.  So I do think myself very lucky, that the dogs insist (if there is nowhere better to explore) on a daily woodland walk, and on days when the sun does try its best to warm a winters day there can be no complaint from me.

  7th February

© David Oakes 2013