Category Archives: Woodland

Goodbye July…….

Posted on by under David Oakes - Images, Derbyshire, English Woodland, Everyday Life, Peace, PHOTOGRAPHY,, postaday, Seasonal Change, seasonal weather, Trivia, Woodland

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Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree

Sunshine but also shadows, often dark and damp……  well that has been, for the most part, the weather this July.  August tomorrow and we move that little bit nearer to autumn.  Yet, here under the Chestnuts leafy canopy, last autumns fallen leaves still abound….. true they do add some extra colour to the woodland glades.

But less of this talk of autumn, lets hope August is this years summer month.

Please Remember ….

Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

31st July

(C) David Oakes 2020

 

 

A Little Gem on Exmoor……

Posted on by under David Oakes - Images, Devon, England,, Everyday Life, Exmoor, Peace, PHOTOGRAPHY,, postaday, Trivia, U.K.Travel, Woodland

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Horner Water flowing through the valley of Horner Woods.    The hamlet of Horner, a great starting point to explore the valley, can be found near to West Luccombe which lies on the eastern edge of the Exmoor National Park.   Exmoor is, part in Devon and part, as is the case with Horner, in Somerset.  These quiet high wooded valleys are wonderful to tramp, paths weaving there way  through the woods, sometimes following old packhorse trails, with some leading you on and out onto the high open moors of Exmoor…. and maybe a coastal view.

Looking forward to exploring again…..   but till then….

Please Remember ….

Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

24th July

(C) David Oakes 2020

Sometimes you don’t get what you wanted….. some might call it a surprise!

Posted on by under Allestree, David Oakes - Images, Derbyshire, Everyday Life, Garden, Peace, PHOTOGRAPHY,, postaday, Trivia, Woodland

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This spring we planted a new Clematis, a later summer flowering variety.  The first of the buds have burst and one of the flowers has now revealed itself.

Well we did want a late summer flowering Clematis, but we also wanted a dark rich Red flower…..  This is what we actually bought…

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The bloom we have got is still nice bloom, so I guess we will have to try again next spring, find a different location in the garden, and may be we will get lucky.

Sunday has been rather sunny.  Not all day but for the most part blue skies and warm sunshine.  This morning we headed for Big Wood.  It is just over a week since we were last there. In that week the already thick woodland canopy has increased dramatically in density…….  dark, with just the occasional gap in the canopy to let the odd shaft of sunlight reach the woodland floor.

The sun also brought our the Golfers.  It would seem that all restrictions on numbers and time of play have been lifted, all foursomes and all chasing each others tails…  still they are having fun…   not sure they are really playing safe

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One last surprise of the day.   I bet you know that feeling when you suddenly feel as if someone or something is silently  watching you.  Well I was sat on the bench at the bottom of our garden, and that feeling came on.  I turned to my right, at first I couldn’t see anything, then a little flicker of wings.  I was being stalked by a Damselfly.  I didn’t dare move, but carefully swung the camera round and click.  No chance to get nearer and he had had enough and was off…

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The end of June and so far this July the weather has been rather damp at best and distinctly wet at worst.  So lets hope we have turned another weather corner and  some consistent sunshine is heading our way.  Then we can continue to enjoy all the colours of summer

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Whatever the weather…..

Please Remember ….

Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

5th July

(C) David Oakes 2020

 

 

 

A Very Dull start, some sunshine and lots of bird song

Posted on by under Allestree, David Oakes - Images, Derbyshire, Everyday Life, Peace, PHOTOGRAPHY,, postaday, Trivia, Weather, Woodland

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The forecast was for a misty start (again).  That mist seemed to morph into low grey cloud, never threatening rain but not promising  much if any sunshine.

By the time we arrived at lakeside the sun was trying to show itself.  So the occasional bright burst and a misty horizon was to be the way of it for the morning…

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So, OK not the brightest of days.  Not though disappointing.

The woodland was dark, but the bird sound was fantastic.   We have all ,I am pretty sure,  have heard of the dawn chorus.   Well at 11.30am that chorus was still adding its charms to the woods.

So here is a short clip, I hope the sound is acceptable and please excuse my rather grabbed attempt to record the woods this morning.

 I hope that give you a taste of the woodland sounds.  I really must start to take video shooting seriously and may be invest in an external microphone for the camera.

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Well I made an attempt to capture the bird song…. now I need to capture the woodland scent.  Even the ferns have a magical aroma.

All alone with just the birds and Buster for company.  Dull it maybe, but at least it isn’t raining,  all in all not bad to be out and about.    At this moment in our history I take it as a privilege.

Please Remember ….

Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

17th June

(C) David Oakes 2020