tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19064357627999120862024-03-19T08:46:06.716+00:00Photo journal of sortsA bit of travel, a bit of photography, a bit of PhotoshopMartynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-41456337108396158872017-11-24T17:55:00.000+00:002017-11-24T17:55:12.497+00:00Exmoor day 3 - deep valleys, purple moorland & wistful ponies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ibMPdQctc5w/WcKeiL1xY-I/AAAAAAAAOtQ/X20lRXUyq1k4QWuEz8RG4x6lcrpRxP8mQCLcBGAs/s1600/Dunkery%2BReserve%2BStormy%2BSunrise%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Exmoor National Park at sunrise with an orange horizon and heather foreground" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ibMPdQctc5w/WcKeiL1xY-I/AAAAAAAAOtQ/X20lRXUyq1k4QWuEz8RG4x6lcrpRxP8mQCLcBGAs/s640/Dunkery%2BReserve%2BStormy%2BSunrise%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Stormy sunrise over moorland near Dunkery Hill in Exmoor" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Up for sunrise again and the sky was looking particularly
tumultuous, I had half a mind to crawl back into my sleeping bag and pretend
that my alarm hadn’t gone off. But ever the dedicated photographer, I pushed on
and struggled into my clothes while listening out for the timorous pattering of
water of canvas, signifying the beginnings of a rain storm that I was sure
would arrive at any moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Holnicote Estate near Dunkery Hill at sunrise and a tangerine sky" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-mgGEJHkhw/WcKeih2jlOI/AAAAAAAAOtc/kF2KOCpPFaUEHSa8c2PZdjcF8ssBNloCgCLcBGAs/s640/Dunkery%2BReserve%2BStormy%2BSunrise%2B02%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Early morning sunlight beneath ominous clouds near Dunkery Hill in Exmoor" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The sky made up for the relative drabness of the ground.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So with overcast conditions, I drove up onto the moors on the hunt for a decent viewpoint should some colour appear in the sky. Unusually I didn’t have a particular spot in mind, so I roamed over the heathland in the hope that something would present itself.<br /><br />In the end though my hand was forced, there was a gap between the stormy clouds and the horizon that allowed the dawn light to shine through, so I had to stop wherever I could, retrieve my camera gear from the car and set up post haste. <br /><br />It wasn’t the most interesting spot, but there was a bit of heather in bloom in the foreground, and a small clump of trees in the far distance which I placed between the sloping sides of two hills, plus the sky was certainly interesting, so I made the best of it.</span><div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Wild looking sky on a stormy sunrise near Dunkery Hill in Exmoor National park" border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="980" height="440" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VLLCNTZwPy4/WcKeiliYYKI/AAAAAAAAOtk/J4Picook69glzQf-d_F9DMqJ89af6xDBQCLcBGAs/s640/Dunkery%2BReserve%2BStormy%2BSunrise%2B03%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Stormy clouds at dawn over an empty moorland landscape in Exmoor" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The clouds didn't take on a great deal of colour, but there were a few patches.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />After a 20 minutes or so the rain began to lightly fall, and it wasn’t long before it had picked up the pace and was hammering it down with some force. Quickly packing up, I picked my way over the uneven ground as fast as I could towards the car, but the rain had the best of me and I was quite soaked by the time I got back to the car.<br /><br />On my way back to the campsite, the sun did reappear again for a brief moment, and I managed to get a shot of the colourful moorland as it crested and furrowed into the distance, under some tobacco tinged clouds, before they too dumped their watery cargo onto the landscape.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful light over the Exmoor landscape with bright purple heather" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0BQIEHlfab0/WcKekOknr8I/AAAAAAAAOt4/7FwrZBoI6iIfkLs0GEpgAfjr6_EBJl9TwCLcBGAs/s640/Tree%2BLined%2BLane%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Warm sunlight on heather in Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The conditions at this time of day created some very atmospheric light.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />After breakfast I packed up my tent and vacated the campsite for my last day in Exmoor. The weather was slightly more clement by now, which was welcome, as packing up a tent in the rain is just not fun in any way.<br /><br />Once the car was loaded up with my temporary home, I returned to the moors, where I chanced upon a herd of wild ponies who it seemed, were not in any rush to get going, and were content to munch on the colourful vegetation as I gambolled around them getting a few snaps.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Heather clad moorland and wild ponies in this idyllic Exmoor scene" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fc3oC_3XroQ/WcKejkFbPFI/AAAAAAAAOtw/4o_QWMDS5J8LVtmJP7tBtOhRhr7KdgMkgCLcBGAs/s640/Grazing%2BExmoor%2BPonies%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Wild Exmoor ponies graze in the sunshine under a small tree" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was a job to get them to keep still for any length of time.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Handsome Exmoor pony surveys the landscape in Exmoor National Park" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wg4UW-ZT9ks/WcKei-QndyI/AAAAAAAAOto/ninAnJaqOAQ5kYovymNG5C_ltNAWu4JOwCLcBGAs/s640/Exmoor%2BPony%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Exmoor pony with windswept mane looks over heather clad moorland" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With his windblown mane, this little pony stares out over the landscape deep in thought, about something.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Heather covered moorland and a lone tree in the National Park in Exmoor" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gMPC24OJDOY/WcKekWu1-rI/AAAAAAAAOt8/2ghaN6sJk_wfDDG-zmx1SfrlchpqHn8sACLcBGAs/s640/Tree%2Band%2BHeather%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Single tree surrounded by heather in Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I can't resist a lone tree.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of a wild Exmoor pony feeding among the colourful moorland foliage" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzKOKPbAOoM/WcKeibUtW2I/AAAAAAAAOtY/UsII8klrcX0OaEtZqLM1bBYeBnxGZAG4wCLcBGAs/s1600/Colourful%2BLunch%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Wild pony grazing among the heather on Exmoor National Park" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tucking into some grass and showing every sign of enjoyment.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once I had bothered them enough I took a drive towards Lynmouth and Lynton via Contisbury Hill, stopping at the National Trust car park just before the little village of Contisbury for a view over the coastal landscape towards Lynton itself.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Coastal Exmoor landscape looking towards Lynton and Lynmouth" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l4kHpwuC2Ko/WcKejkFKtnI/AAAAAAAAOt0/mA6nEonwSU0cj9HzxsImdYzyhu6FHEKzgCLcBGAs/s640/Looking%2BTowards%2BLynford%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="View towards Lynton and Lynmouth from Countisbury Hill" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lynton can be seen in this view, Lynmough is hidden by the towering coastline, as it sits at sea level.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I then took a stroll to the other side of the road and followed a footpath into the dramatic surroundings of the East Lyn Valley. I had driven past this eye catching spot a few times on the way to other places, and I thought it was about time I stopped and explored the area. I didn’t head into the valley itself, but stayed along the ridge overlooking it, for some big views.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sunlight on the East Lyn Valley in Exmoor National Park" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ljdnB3ttdy8/WcKei-f1u-I/AAAAAAAAOtg/dnoyfOL0wUIE_orAnjquhK-0_lBLwIU9gCLcBGAs/s640/East%2BLyn%2BRiver%2BValley%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Rugged landscape of the East Lyn Valley in Exmoor" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking along the East Lyn Valley.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The sun was in and out a lot, as the clouds scooted across the sky in the high winds, so there was a bit of waiting around for the light to be suitable, but it was such a lovely spot, it was no hardship. Once I’d had a good old stroll along the ridgeway footpath, with views down to the distant East Lyn River as it carves its way through the undulating terrain, I headed back to the car, as I had one more valley to visit before the end of the day.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Deep gorge of the tree covered East Lyn Valley in Exmoor National Park" border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tpidKQD4K5k/WcKekWDMfSI/AAAAAAAAOuA/qoecYSWn2H4_1IOcv2jZ7gJHHAOdl8BXACLcBGAs/s640/Looking%2Binto%2Bthe%2BEast%2BLyn%2BRiver%2BValley%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Panorama of the East Lyn Valley near Lynton and Lynmouth" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Panoramic view of the valley in the afternoon sunshine.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Wild landscape of the East Lyn Valley bathed in sunlight in Exmoor National Park" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoJt080XqCE/WcKek6nMaXI/AAAAAAAAOuI/AmRIBEyGPgggWW3LB47ky6If2DNXMFN9gCLcBGAs/s640/Valley%2BTree%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Single tree and heather overlooking the East Lyn Valley in Exmoor" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There wasn't much heather about, but I managed to find a couple of clumps.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Big landscapes near Lynton and Lynmouth of the East Lyn Valley in Exmoor" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8whawaqqGrQ/WcKek0LoCsI/AAAAAAAAOuE/PQLi7UIvbGkCcsTA2JAplfh_NHLltYvGQCLcBGAs/s640/Valley%2BView%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Breathtaking scenery of the East Lyn Valley in Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dramatic landscape and clouds.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Driving through Contisbury, I parked up in a small layby next to a gate, and strode off into a field, before finding the track that I was looking for. This was another view of a valley along the course of the East Lyn River, although the watercourse that carved it out is no longer there, it’s a footpath now that leads to Watersmeet, but out of sight, it returns to river again.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Exmoor valley landscape from the village of Countisbury " border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y-hP6Jf_00M/WcKejeWwQyI/AAAAAAAAOts/gTo0mTk6cKwezRWH_laH_a9AcmhDmFxbgCLcBGAs/s640/Footpath%2Binto%2Bthe%2BValley%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Valley views and moorland ferns in sunshine on Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking down into the valley.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />After getting a few shots of some more dramatic landscape, it was time for me to return to the car and head back home. I was sure it wouldn’t long before I was back again though.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Dramatic landscape near Countisbury in the afternoon sunshine" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcyeXw6x7J0/WcKeiCoog4I/AAAAAAAAOtU/F81LqLN2_lcHWdCf2WlvUi92V4-iEQb2gCLcBGAs/s640/Contisbury%2BValley%2BPath%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Valley footpath to Watersmeet in Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Two footpaths.</span></td></tr>
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Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com2Kemps Way, Dulverton TA22 9HZ, UK51.041393898126366 -3.554077148437550.723224898126368 -4.1995241484375 51.359562898126363 -2.9086301484375tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-14062419224325903902017-10-05T20:16:00.000+01:002017-10-05T20:16:03.112+01:00Exmoor day 2 - Punchbowl, winding lanes & Castle sunset<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoGZuaxzDaQ/WcKdcfH35BI/AAAAAAAAOss/jFRHo-fGNgElB91i3IFt89-bu_a_j_30QCLcBGAs/s1600/Punchbowl%2BPredawn%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Looking into the Punchbowl under pre-dawn light in Exmoor National Park" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoGZuaxzDaQ/WcKdcfH35BI/AAAAAAAAOss/jFRHo-fGNgElB91i3IFt89-bu_a_j_30QCLcBGAs/s640/Punchbowl%2BPredawn%2B.jpg" title="Dawn over the Punchbowl at Winsford Hill in Exmoor" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I awoke on my second morning in Exmoor National Park at around 6ish in the hope that I would be treated to a decent sunrise. Peering out from the tent, it looked pretty good, there was some cloud about but lots of clear patches as well, which was a perfect recipe for a cracking sunrise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was all the motivation I needed to struggle into my clothes in the cramped confines of my canvas abode, and motor on over to the Punchbowl. A dramatic hollow in the surrounding countryside, which is itself in a valley. The nature of the landscape and some of the deposits within it, suggest that it may represent scarring from the only glacier in southwest England during the Pleistocene age. The most recent of earth’s ice ages, that lasted from two and a half million to eleven and a half thousand years ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whatever caused it, left behind a very comely vista, and a perfect spot for a bit of photography, so bravo. When I arrived, the sun hadn’t yet imparted any colour into the sky, as can be seen from the above image, so I had time to pick a spot and get set up.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1pwSe9ENas/WcKdd3zYWWI/AAAAAAAAOtI/XfSc9HbKUw8G7X0RtkGQxKABtGoi0Ig1gCLcBGAs/s1600/Windswept%2BClouds%2Band%2BTree%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Pink clouds and patchwork fields at the Punchbowl near Winsford in Exmoor" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1pwSe9ENas/WcKdd3zYWWI/AAAAAAAAOtI/XfSc9HbKUw8G7X0RtkGQxKABtGoi0Ig1gCLcBGAs/s640/Windswept%2BClouds%2Band%2BTree%2B.jpg" title="Sunrise clouds over the Punchbowl in Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The first colour of the day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JZgEypxXWb0/WcKdcTtaE-I/AAAAAAAAOso/fBzdTQK5tk8dSPy5XQI9Dpjh8wnyvGhqACLcBGAs/s1600/Punchbowl%2BPamorama%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Wonderful Exmoor countryside at the Punchbowl from Winsford Hill" border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="980" height="322" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JZgEypxXWb0/WcKdcTtaE-I/AAAAAAAAOso/fBzdTQK5tk8dSPy5XQI9Dpjh8wnyvGhqACLcBGAs/s640/Punchbowl%2BPamorama%2B.jpg" title="Panorama of the Punchbowl in Exmoor at sunrise with beautiful light" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Panorama looking into the Bowl of Punch.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mAbFDbJv03k/WcKdc6gW81I/AAAAAAAAOs0/MGm4DB1zgd0KRIUS_nJCgaDfmGvSfPyxQCLcBGAs/s1600/Starting%2Bthe%2BDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sunrise image from Winsford Hill overlooking the Punchbowl in Exmoor National Park" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mAbFDbJv03k/WcKdc6gW81I/AAAAAAAAOs0/MGm4DB1zgd0KRIUS_nJCgaDfmGvSfPyxQCLcBGAs/s640/Starting%2Bthe%2BDay.jpg" title="Windswept tree and ferns at the Punchbowl on Winsford Hill in Exmoor" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Windswept tree and footpath around the rim of the bowl.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It wasn’t long before a bit of vibrancy declared itself upon the fast moving clouds, and they began to thrum to a patchwork of pastel pigments. Once the sun surmounted the horizon, it burnished the underside of the nebulous packs with a flaming brilliance of red and orange.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The clouds were advancing across the pale cerulean sky at such a pace that the sun was endlessly being covered and revealed, blanketing the landscape in a warm bloom one minute, then cooling the scene into a dull version of itself the next, it was a job to keep up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a while, the rich, apricot colour of sunrise gave way to the creamy, bisque light of a day well and truly underway. As the clouds began to gather in earnest, I took a few more pictures, while the sun was still out, and said goodbye to the Punchbowl, until our next encounter.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0uwvaG8Ag8k/WcKdbc3H9NI/AAAAAAAAOsQ/AZYdmwTMma41LWvUZAlGADAX3r4eSbHhwCLcBGAs/s1600/First%2BRays%2Bof%2BLight%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sun breaks through the clouds at down to light up the Punchbowl in Exmoor" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0uwvaG8Ag8k/WcKdbc3H9NI/AAAAAAAAOsQ/AZYdmwTMma41LWvUZAlGADAX3r4eSbHhwCLcBGAs/s640/First%2BRays%2Bof%2BLight%2B.jpg" title="The Punchbowl in Exmoor National Park at sunrise" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The sun reveals itself.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFZoOTp4CUY/WcKddeQ92LI/AAAAAAAAOs8/_MOYA8veDJgEbJeSVurQybCEVFiYEYkHACLcBGAs/s1600/Sunshine%2Bon%2Bthe%2BMoorland%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Heather and trees on Winsford Hill bathed in the warm light of sunrise in Exmoor" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFZoOTp4CUY/WcKddeQ92LI/AAAAAAAAOs8/_MOYA8veDJgEbJeSVurQybCEVFiYEYkHACLcBGAs/s640/Sunshine%2Bon%2Bthe%2BMoorland%2B.jpg" title="Early morning sun lights up the Exmoor moorland on Winsford Hill" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Warm glow on the colourful ground.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xLHrPCZGWD0/WcKdbb3xaGI/AAAAAAAAOsU/zYajhaIsPwUjC0uEQcCUEpkJWpP1lj9mQCLcBGAs/s1600/Dead%2BTree%2BVista%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Morning sun lights up a dead tree on Winsford Hill looking over the Punchbowl in Exmoor" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xLHrPCZGWD0/WcKdbb3xaGI/AAAAAAAAOsU/zYajhaIsPwUjC0uEQcCUEpkJWpP1lj9mQCLcBGAs/s640/Dead%2BTree%2BVista%2B.jpg" title="Dead tree overlooking the Punchbowl in Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A dead tree is lit up by the rising sun.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdXJUUJgkLk/WcKdbwdHWeI/AAAAAAAAOsc/d7xpYwSC_3wD8pt2ahHMxiOd61KqDfXGACLcBGAs/s1600/Heather%2BPatches%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Foreground heather and patchwork fields at the Punchbowl from Winsford hill in Exmoor" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdXJUUJgkLk/WcKdbwdHWeI/AAAAAAAAOsc/d7xpYwSC_3wD8pt2ahHMxiOd61KqDfXGACLcBGAs/s640/Heather%2BPatches%2B.jpg" title="Beautiful light on the Punchbowl and purple heather near Winsford" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Clumps of heather and a patchwork of fields.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJMlA5p0Xsw/WcKddkITAiI/AAAAAAAAOtA/fw2v0fs7qCk3KJuNC-LVPXHFuflSTZbPwCLcBGAs/s1600/Trees%2BTogether%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Black and white image of Trees and clouds on Winsford Hill in Exmoor" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJMlA5p0Xsw/WcKddkITAiI/AAAAAAAAOtA/fw2v0fs7qCk3KJuNC-LVPXHFuflSTZbPwCLcBGAs/s640/Trees%2BTogether%2B.jpg" title="Two trees on the moorland in Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The clouds by now had made themselves at home over these four trees.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rain fell with what seemed like anger, as I drove across the moors, showing that it was to be another unpredictable day, weather-wise. As if to hammer home the point, as I crested a polished, tranquil hill, the clouds parted and the sun beat down onto the surrounding terrain with an effect that was quite startling, thanks to having spent the last 20 minutes driving through a dismal deluge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I quickly parked up, and after slipping and floundering up a muddy and soaking wet embankment, I took in the view. I was there for quite a while, thrashing and plunging around the rough, grassy topography, looking for some interesting shots, in between scampering to the car when the rain got too heavy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a while it did clear a bit, and even dried things up a notch, which was nice. By this time I was famished, so I packed up and roamed back to the campsite for a late breakfast. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqc25uSrHh4/WcKdcIYWW7I/AAAAAAAAOsk/PlXQBg1i9XE9ITMbfUgPGn-0P6IwF4jSgCLcBGAs/s1600/Moorland%2BLane%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Exmoor landscape and country lane in the afternoon sunshine" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqc25uSrHh4/WcKdcIYWW7I/AAAAAAAAOsk/PlXQBg1i9XE9ITMbfUgPGn-0P6IwF4jSgCLcBGAs/s640/Moorland%2BLane%2B.jpg" title="Tree lined lane winds over Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A country lane winds across the moors and into the distance.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KgbHpntE0Sg/WcKddUEZ2lI/AAAAAAAAOs4/XTsetKcFpSQt14rx7AYgQHnn3_QPkGGXQCLcBGAs/s1600/Stream%2BBridge%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Idyllic country lane as it winds through the Exmoor landscape" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KgbHpntE0Sg/WcKddUEZ2lI/AAAAAAAAOs4/XTsetKcFpSQt14rx7AYgQHnn3_QPkGGXQCLcBGAs/s640/Stream%2BBridge%2B.jpg" title="Curving country lane in Exmoor National Park near Exford" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It didn't take long for things to dry out once the sun made an appearance.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The weather had been getting more and more cheerless as I chomped away on what had become brunch, but I certainly wasn’t going to hang around in my tiny tent for things to improve, so I was soon back in the car and heading out onto the moors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I stopped on the way up to get some shots of another tunnel like carriageway. This one was wider and if anything, more impressive than the one I had visited the day before, and I was there for some time, taking in the leafy goodness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once up on the moors, I visited various locations but the weather had turned particularly sour, and I couldn’t get anything decent. Plus I got fed up of being lashed with rain and buffeted by the wind, and I decided to give it a rest until things became a little more clement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This didn’t occur until later in the day, and after wandering around Lynmouth and drinking far too much coffee, I could see that the time might be ripe to extricate the camera again and see if I could make up for lost time.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gcxbi5T2260/WcKdcOE-QZI/AAAAAAAAOsg/Tas6NOdNav0tY8RYNSyv-bYhDJf9C8CQQCLcBGAs/s1600/Lane%2Bto%2Bthe%2BMoors%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Tunnel of trees over a small lane in Exmoor National Park" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gcxbi5T2260/WcKdcOE-QZI/AAAAAAAAOsg/Tas6NOdNav0tY8RYNSyv-bYhDJf9C8CQQCLcBGAs/s640/Lane%2Bto%2Bthe%2BMoors%2B.jpg" title="Exmoor lane rises up beneath a canopy of trees" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A jade green, vaulted ceiling over an empty road.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DXeNiuztxA/WcKdd7hTIqI/AAAAAAAAOtE/aCHS_7Oh0FYplP50F7anep54pdTjp6KSACLcBGAs/s1600/Winding%2BLane%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Exmoor National Park country lane beneath a lush green canopy of leaves " border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DXeNiuztxA/WcKdd7hTIqI/AAAAAAAAOtE/aCHS_7Oh0FYplP50F7anep54pdTjp6KSACLcBGAs/s640/Winding%2BLane%2B.jpg" title="Small lane winds under trees in Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sinuous lane beneath the trees.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But first I had some fish and chips to eat, as a visit to Lynmouth around dinner time has to involve a visit to the Esplanade Fish Bar, to not do so would be an outrage. It was still pretty early, sunset wouldn’t be occurring for another couple of hours, so I had plenty of time to stuff my fat face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once supper had been procured, I drove up to Lynton and then on to Valley of Rocks, yes, again. And gorged myself on beautiful, creamy cod and fistfuls of salt and vinegar drenched chips. It was superb.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I still had plenty of time before sunset so I took a stroll over the high, rocky ridge of Ragged Jack, enjoying the views, if not the howling wind. Once I’d had a scuttle over the fragmented, boulder strewn backbone of slate and sandstone that tumble and slump above the coast path below, I made my way back to the car to pick up my gear, and then headed to my favourite spot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The clouds thinned and swelled on the impulses of the capricious wind, so there was no way of knowing if I was going to get a decent sunset sky or not. All I could do was hang around in the gusty conditions, and stay back from the edge of the cliff as much as prudence would allow. It couldn’t be too far or I wouldn’t be in the right place to get a decent shot, yet with every tempestuous outburst I was quite aware I was only three to four foot away from a plunge that would be my final, ridiculous act.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thankfully, I’m as sure footed as the beady eyed feral goats that call the valley home, so as I stood there, legs splayed in stance reminiscent of a bedroom rock god, ready to do some serious shredding on his air guitar, I awaited the commencement of sunset.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My absurd posture was not in vain, as sundown delivered a good handful of colour, with the clouds lining up in a favourable manner, and the waning sun splashing Castle Rock with a lacquer of saffron iridescence, it was definitely worth hanging around for. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1oLwMF55-s/WcKdcmdGkgI/AAAAAAAAOsw/51JZP-e5ffca8zITJ6cyAN1TpVRNZIX2gCLcBGAs/s1600/Setting%2BExmoor%2BSun%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Exmoor coastline at the Valley of Rocks with a beautiful sunset sky above" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1oLwMF55-s/WcKdcmdGkgI/AAAAAAAAOsw/51JZP-e5ffca8zITJ6cyAN1TpVRNZIX2gCLcBGAs/s640/Setting%2BExmoor%2BSun%2B.jpg" title="Valley of Rocks at sunset at Lynton in Exmoor National Park " width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Castle Rock looking fabulous in the evening sunlight.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P__LcrP7j4Y/WcKdbPk56iI/AAAAAAAAOsY/uro3BoWuZnEVPVupnGRywa-mTIvmb_EaACLcBGAs/s1600/Castle%2BRock%2BOrange%2BSunset%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Tangerine clouds over the Valley of Rocks coastline at sunset in Exmoor" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P__LcrP7j4Y/WcKdbPk56iI/AAAAAAAAOsY/uro3BoWuZnEVPVupnGRywa-mTIvmb_EaACLcBGAs/s640/Castle%2BRock%2BOrange%2BSunset%2B.jpg" title="Castle Rock at sunset at the Valley of Rocks in Exmoor" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The clouds complement the line of the coast.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There wasn’t much in the way of afterglow, once the sun had dropped behind the clouds it was all over, but again, the last of the day had not disappointed. All that was left was to head back to camp and have an early night, in the hope that dawn would bring some more engaging conditions. Little did I know I would be getting quite a bit more than just engaging. </span><br />
<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0Kemps Way, Dulverton TA22 9HZ, UK51.041393898126366 -3.554077148437550.723224898126368 -4.1995241484375 51.359562898126363 -2.9086301484375tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-36808446358494292712017-09-26T16:22:00.001+01:002017-10-04T20:03:49.292+01:00Exmoor day 1 - heather, tunnel, waterfall & bog monster<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OSRs_yhccQo/WcKcK-Nj7UI/AAAAAAAAOr4/2SIiAYmh_fAhr4ebV1japMOiKPLwdKw-ACLcBGAs/s1600/Sunrise%2Band%2BStream%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="First light on the landscape of Exmoor National Park" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OSRs_yhccQo/WcKcK-Nj7UI/AAAAAAAAOr4/2SIiAYmh_fAhr4ebV1japMOiKPLwdKw-ACLcBGAs/s640/Sunrise%2Band%2BStream%2B.jpg" title="Exmoor sunrise and countryside" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I took another visit to one of my favourite places a couple of weeks ago, namely Exmoor National Park on the northern coast of Devon, for a few days of photography.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was camping so had my fingers crossed for decent weather, as it turns out my crossed fingers don’t hold much sway with the weather gods, it seems they were intent on chucking down a good amount of the wet stuff, despite my humble orison.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But on the plus side, changeable conditions do favour the courageously valiant photographer, assuming courageously valiant means willing to get a bit damp, and I was. As it happens, between the rain showers there were patches of warm sunshine to light up the landscape, along with some superb cloud formations, so not all bad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the first morning I was up for sunrise without delay, I wanted to get over to a little lane I happened to know that curves and meanders over the moorland, and to a spot where it traverses a trickling brook, for what I hoped would be a bucolic view into the park.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I arrived in time for the emerging pre-dawn light to illuminate the horizon with a soft tangerine glow. The cirrocumulus clouds high above were in a perfect position to catch the developing colour, so it looked like I was in for a grand display as tiny hints of magenta began to appear on their flanks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately no one told them what I was up to down below, and they utterly failed to ripen into the colourful pageant of chromatic splendour I was expecting them to, which was a shame. Of course I let them know I wasn’t angry with them, just, disappointed.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bvX3At6O0L0/WcKcLH892tI/AAAAAAAAOsA/rHzNHuwNCQcpAYI9CDBLMNApFmbK8Q2OgCLcBGAs/s1600/Tranquil%2BSunrise%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Early morning sunlight in the National Park of Exmoor " border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bvX3At6O0L0/WcKcLH892tI/AAAAAAAAOsA/rHzNHuwNCQcpAYI9CDBLMNApFmbK8Q2OgCLcBGAs/s640/Tranquil%2BSunrise%2B.jpg" title="Rising sun over Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The warm glow of dawn light makes getting up early worth the effort.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I hung around for the sun to make an appearance, which it duly did, and as it lit up the verdant carpet of thick grass in front of me with a subtle orange tone, I had the pastoral scene I was after. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--w7MCmgHMcw/WcKcKCSRdTI/AAAAAAAAOrs/EFEjkAGurakJPIKaDasOlqbzMC1oI38_QCLcBGAs/s1600/Morning%2BSunbeams%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Morning sunlight into the camera in beautiful Exmoor " border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--w7MCmgHMcw/WcKcKCSRdTI/AAAAAAAAOrs/EFEjkAGurakJPIKaDasOlqbzMC1oI38_QCLcBGAs/s640/Morning%2BSunbeams%2B.jpg" title="Sun flares across the landscape in Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">With the orange tones receding it doesn't take long for the sun to get up to full strength.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once I had returned to the campsite and had some breakfast, I took a drive to a lane that is exceptionally well named, The Tunnel. Pulling over into a mud filled widening along the side of the road, I got a few shots looking along this striking passageway.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ukrzvQdkrE/WcKcJxvR93I/AAAAAAAAOrg/WbnUtIj7PzoX_RzRxjfibZ8kDiT2RSuIACLcBGAs/s1600/Leafy%2BTunnel%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="A tree tunnel covers a country lane in Exmoor National Park" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ukrzvQdkrE/WcKcJxvR93I/AAAAAAAAOrg/WbnUtIj7PzoX_RzRxjfibZ8kDiT2RSuIACLcBGAs/s1600/Leafy%2BTunnel%2B.jpg" title="A little winding lane beneath trees in Exmoor " /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of the best times of the year to see it, with it's green summer cloak.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The wet, steel grey concourse, dappled with morning sunlight, a sparkling, emerald canopy, arching above it, with leafy branches from each side intertwining into a single structure, it really was a well named road. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5lveaUeRVs/WcKcIc4foSI/AAAAAAAAOrI/iWcSvharUJ0ZDY4HbnEJ70B1a89Gf0pEwCLcBGAs/s1600/Country%2BTunnel%2BLane%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="A tunnel of green trees surround a winding country lane in Exmoor " border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5lveaUeRVs/WcKcIc4foSI/AAAAAAAAOrI/iWcSvharUJ0ZDY4HbnEJ70B1a89Gf0pEwCLcBGAs/s640/Country%2BTunnel%2BLane%2B.jpg" title="Trees cover a tiny country lane in Exmoor " width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Apart from a few cyclists, the road was bereft of traffic.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I carried on to Winsford hill to have a look at the Punchbowl, another spot I am rather fond of, and one I would be returning to for sunrise one morning, should the weather allow it. I spent a bit of time wandering around, getting a few snaps of the heather and the weather beaten trees on this windswept piece of moorland. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ciEwkoOZ_1Y/WcKcKwZfIYI/AAAAAAAAOr8/2LqbUItMnJM6SmB3tVUJ97CNsDCRAb60wCLcBGAs/s1600/Sunshine%2Bin%2Bthe%2BPunchbowl%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Fluffy clouds drift over patchwork fields in Exmoor's Punchbowl" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ciEwkoOZ_1Y/WcKcKwZfIYI/AAAAAAAAOr8/2LqbUItMnJM6SmB3tVUJ97CNsDCRAb60wCLcBGAs/s640/Sunshine%2Bin%2Bthe%2BPunchbowl%2B.jpg" title="Beautiful view into the Punchbowl in Exmoor National Park" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking into the Punchbowl.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DvWMVjWwfo/WcKcKZScdpI/AAAAAAAAOrw/MdnPyRYzBegRp9JNMRB68Qb8arqN40iZgCLcBGAs/s1600/Pathh%2Binto%2Bthe%2BValley%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="A small track leads into beautiful countryside on Exmoor's moorland" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DvWMVjWwfo/WcKcKZScdpI/AAAAAAAAOrw/MdnPyRYzBegRp9JNMRB68Qb8arqN40iZgCLcBGAs/s640/Pathh%2Binto%2Bthe%2BValley%2B.jpg" title="Rolling landscape under a blue sky and fluffy clouds in Exmoor" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A small track leads into the colourful landscape.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ6nacOzuzw/WcKcJGzJPCI/AAAAAAAAOrQ/gKufFy_x9b0AUeTNOVdql8n5KaDTQlirACLcBGAs/s1600/Exmoor%2BColour%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Colourful landscape of green and purple in Exmoor National Park" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ6nacOzuzw/WcKcJGzJPCI/AAAAAAAAOrQ/gKufFy_x9b0AUeTNOVdql8n5KaDTQlirACLcBGAs/s640/Exmoor%2BColour%2B.jpg" title="Small trees and heather moorland bathed in sunshine in Exmoor " width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The greens and purples of Exmoor in summer.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a while the clouds started to gather apace, the atmosphere started to become defiantly gloomy, and it wasn’t long before it was teeming down. I took this opportunity to head to the coast and find somewhere for a spot of lunch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once that had been taken care of, and now that the clouds were starting to clear, I made my way up to the coast road between Porlock and Lynmouth, to get a look at the heather that can grow in abundance.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIZdahBuwAc/WcKcJNVVFLI/AAAAAAAAOrY/9xCCBaCNXI4_-zMbRzZn-VQykjUIemMZACLcBGAs/s1600/Five%2BTrees%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Exmoor National Park moorland with trees and heather" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIZdahBuwAc/WcKcJNVVFLI/AAAAAAAAOrY/9xCCBaCNXI4_-zMbRzZn-VQykjUIemMZACLcBGAs/s640/Five%2BTrees%2B.jpg" title="Warm sunshine and dark clouds over Exmoor moorland" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The clouds soon began to cluster above me.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thankfully, this year the heather was better than it had been for a long time, according some of the locals I had spoken to, and it was a symphony of purple up there, certainly the best I’ve ever seen it. Once I had got a few pictures of the landscape, which was a marvel of magenta, and dived back into the car before another deluge cascaded down, it was time for a drive over to Simonsbath for a bit of a stroll.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gl5rgssdxQo/WcKcKoTZRfI/AAAAAAAAOr0/n2DCKZyl5GIBl-1ynyRyB_0wp02qb4L_QCLcBGAs/s1600/Porlock%2BBay%2BPanoramic%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Bright purple heather and the sweep of Porlock Bay in Exmoor National Park" border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gl5rgssdxQo/WcKcKoTZRfI/AAAAAAAAOr0/n2DCKZyl5GIBl-1ynyRyB_0wp02qb4L_QCLcBGAs/s640/Porlock%2BBay%2BPanoramic%2B.jpg" title="Panorama of heather moorland and coast in Exmoor " width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The sweeping curve of Porlock Bay to the left of the picture, and some of that vibrant heather.<br />To see a larger version simply click on the image.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had noticed previously that there was a footpath near the public toilets in the village that I hadn’t seen before, and if there is one guarantee that a footpath is worth exploring, it’s the proximity it has to public toilets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So with the rain now at bay, I set off to see what I could find. T</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">o begin with, t</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">he thick, muddy track took me through woodland, and it became obvious it wasn’t a path that was used very much, as fallen and overhanging tree parts hampered the way, and the track would alternate between mud and rivulet for stretches. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a while though the close vegetation opened up into a spacious, green dell, with moss covered trees and the sound of a waterfall. I navigated over the boggy ground towards it, and found a lovely little rapid surrounded by ferns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I set up my camera gear and took a few shots, taking the opportunity to shed some of my outer layers and cool off a bit. It was still quite overcast, and not overly balmy, but the exertion of walking through mud with all my gear had warmed me up no end.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t__Cb30OQ8w/WcKcKLmKwbI/AAAAAAAAOro/ZVRQ_A5yPiYrisnYUaeSH5n0pvZ7cafgwCLcBGAs/s1600/Little%2BWoodland%2BWaterfall%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful cascade of of water in this vibrant woodland scene in Exmoor " border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t__Cb30OQ8w/WcKcKLmKwbI/AAAAAAAAOro/ZVRQ_A5yPiYrisnYUaeSH5n0pvZ7cafgwCLcBGAs/s640/Little%2BWoodland%2BWaterfall%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Picturesque little waterfall near Simonsbath in Exmoor" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A perfect little woodland waterfall.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once that was done, I returned to the trail, and where it met a sty which carried it out onto open moorland, I spied a sign to Prayway Head, which was a good, er, sign, as at least that meant it was going somewhere. Plus for it to be named, meant there was likely something there worth seeing, and it was only two and half miles distant, which I liked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So following the impression through the grass I headed upwards, and upwards, and upwards, it turns out it was two and a half miles upwards, which I didn’t like so much. After passing through several fields and along raised stone walkways, over numerous gushing streamlets I reached an area that could only be described as swampy. Filled with waist high bracken, the ground was the epitome of uneven, navigating over the deep holes via unsteady and untested bunchy knots of grasses, while keeping distant from the myriad of runnels that crisscrossed the field was an exercise in concentration.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once I had successfully steered myself to the other side, via the use of intermittently placed direction posts, I carried on into the next field where the sign confidently told me Prayway Head was a mere quarter of a mile away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This field was very much in use, it was filled with a plentitude of sheep and cows, there were a lot of sheep and cows. Trudging through the rough grass I had every sheep on the run, as they skittishly dashed away from my progress, as sheep are wont to do. The cows on the other hand, are a different kettle of fish, so to speak. Even though they may find the idea of a human approaching them somewhat unsettling, they are too stupid to move out of the way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I headed towards a crowd of around 40 cows, who very slowly got up and stood there staring at me, I could see they were starting to get a bit jumpy, curiosity compelling them to see what I was all about, but at the same time not wanting to get too close, in that strange way cows operate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some of them were beginning to get a bit lively, which is fine, when you can see what they’re up to, but when they start mucking about behind you, it puts me a little bit on edge. I know cows don’t attack, that would be ridiculous, they are, as I’ve mentioned too stupid for that, but they are very large, and when they start jostling about all around your person, it does inspire thoughts that McDonalds might be an underappreciated force for good in society. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once I had cleared the cow pile, I carried on to a gate on the far edge of the field, this was where the trail ended. This was Prayway Head, except that it wasn’t. It was just a gate that led out onto a road and nothing, they had given a name to nothing. To say I was confused would be exactly correct, because I was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I walked up the road a little bit to see if there was any other signs, there weren’t, I walked the other way up the road, to find no signs, and in the end had to concede that I had come to the end of a slightly gruelling walk to find nothing.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5jHLCITU9Po/WcKcJyEl1gI/AAAAAAAAOrk/c1cJiIiqHXoenN2FUMtp0XxL3YkQCseOQCLcBGAs/s1600/Little%2BWoodland%2BWaterfall%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Simonsbath woodland and a lovely little waterfall in Exmoor National Park" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5jHLCITU9Po/WcKcJyEl1gI/AAAAAAAAOrk/c1cJiIiqHXoenN2FUMtp0XxL3YkQCseOQCLcBGAs/s640/Little%2BWoodland%2BWaterfall%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Ferns and trees surround a perfect little waterfall in Exmoor " width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another shot of the waterfall, it was the only thing I took a picture of on the whole walk.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I didn’t particularly fancy going back the way I had come, that marshland was a pain, but I recognised the road I was stood next to as the one that headed back down to Simonsbath. It was a route I had driven many times, and it was not one to walk along. Flanked as it was with high hedges, no footpath and cars absolutely belting it down there, I didn’t really have a choice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So with a sigh I headed back into the field, the cows being no less of a nuisance, and after scattering the sheep yet again, I started back down the way I had come under the now drizzling rain. Unfortunately I couldn’t find any of the way markers among the tall grasses so I had to guess my way back through the marshy tundra.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This did not go quite as well as I’d hoped, as I kept finding myself on impassable ground, having to turn back and find another way, only for that to become a small lagoon or sloppy quagmire. Thankfully on one of my inexpert stragglings I spotted a marker post. All I needed to do was traverse a small patch of water and I was back on track.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This simply meant leaping onto an intermediary clump of grass and then springing, gazelle like, onto the far side. So with a coltish bound, I vaulted onto the earthy stepping stone which immediately gave under my weight and sent my foot to the bottom of the swampy pond and had me thigh deep in filthy water. But thanks to my momentum and the weight of the camera bag on my back, and of course those pesky laws of motion, I was swung violently forward and landed face first in the mud, my knapsack smacking me in the back of the head for good measure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oh how I laughed as I clambered out of the slime, but on the plus side, the drizzly rain that had started 10 minutes before now turned into a much heavier and deliberate proposition. What a day to be alive I said to no one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even if I had wanted to say it to someone, it wouldn’t have been possible as I hadn’t seen a single soul on the whole, dismal journey. So at least I had that in my favour. All that was left to do was trudge back in the now pouring rain and change into a clean set of clothes I had in the car. When I left I was the only one in the car park so that wouldn’t be a problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">45 minutes later I emerged from the woodland to find the place now teeming with cars, and all these cars it seemed, were full of people, just sat there, waiting for the rain to stop I suppose. And as one they fell silent in whatever pursuit they were doing to strive off the tedium, and watched me as I walked across to my car, dripping wet and covered in mud. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Any thoughts I had of quickly slipping into some fresh clothes disappeared there and then, especially as a minivan was now parked right next to me, and sat in the window, directly overlooking my car, were a mother and young daughter, again, staring in undisguised distaste at the monster from the black lagoon I had become.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After removing what I layers I could modestly get away with, and lining the seat with a rag tag selection of plastic bags in an effort to keep the worst of the foul smelling mud off the fabric, I had no choice but to drive off with as much dignity as I could muster.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I managed to find a relatively secluded layby to perform my changeroo, and because of the weather, the windows soon got thoroughly steamed up, so those who walked past couldn’t see the disgrace I had become anyway. Once I had finished, and feeling a lot better, I drove off towards Lynton with my car looking and smelling like a back alley laundry. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35YbjaR0zZk/WcKcIcMu51I/AAAAAAAAOrM/qW5wP3ss-dUSFrbWNbJZhIdLeKBpF85hACLcBGAs/s1600/Coastline%2BSunset%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Sunset clouds over the Exmoor National Park coastline at Valley of Rocks" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35YbjaR0zZk/WcKcIcMu51I/AAAAAAAAOrM/qW5wP3ss-dUSFrbWNbJZhIdLeKBpF85hACLcBGAs/s640/Coastline%2BSunset%2B.jpg" title="Valley of Rocks sunset with Castle Rock and coastline" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It looked like the colours were about to disappear.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My final stop of the day was to be Valley of Rocks, a place I have visited and photographed many times but never tire of. If awards were handed out to places for their atmospheric magnificence, then Valley of Rocks would have a brace of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By the time I got there the sun was well on its way towards the base of the vista, so I scooted round to the coast path to set up shop and kept my fingers crossed my day might at least end on a positive note. There was a soupy band of cloud on the horizon which didn’t bode well, often it signifies that once the sun dips below it then all hope of a colourful sky are lost.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Coast path at Valley of Rocks under colourful sunset clouds in Exmoor" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uJD00EbNac/WcKcIeZwgMI/AAAAAAAAOrE/u1wWJ-Fz_vYE71e03NHaaQt_8pOyOWUHgCLcBGAs/s640/Coastal%2BPath%2BEvening%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Beautiful pink clouds over Castle Rock at Valley of Rocks in Exmoor" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">But to my delight they didn't, and put quite a show, albeit a short one.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uJD00EbNac/WcKcIeZwgMI/AAAAAAAAOrE/u1wWJ-Fz_vYE71e03NHaaQt_8pOyOWUHgCLcBGAs/s1600/Coastal%2BPath%2BEvening%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span id="goog_540208725"></span><span id="goog_540208726"></span></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thankfully that was not going to be the case here, once the sun had tucked itself away, the billowy clouds above began to take on a very pleasing pink blush to them. It didn’t last long, all of a few minutes, but they were a beautiful few minutes nonetheless and I’m pleased to say my day did turn out well in the end. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc0zl6E2rco/WcKcLTjEq2I/AAAAAAAAOsE/AZrGAhxEY2cAZK-EWmtK44SETehYhFzmgCLcBGAs/s1600/Valley%2Bof%2BRocks%2BPink%2BClouds%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Exmoor National Park coastline at the Valley of Rocks with huge clouds at sunset" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc0zl6E2rco/WcKcLTjEq2I/AAAAAAAAOsE/AZrGAhxEY2cAZK-EWmtK44SETehYhFzmgCLcBGAs/s1600/Valley%2Bof%2BRocks%2BPink%2BClouds%2B.jpg" title="Castle Rock and coast path at sunset in the Valley of Rocks in Exmoor" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Colour fades from the giant clouds. It wouldn't be long before rain returned.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All that was left to do was to jump back into my stinkmobile and rattle off back to the campsite for some grub.</span><br />
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<span id="goog_1670474540"></span><span id="goog_1670474541"></span>Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com1Kemps Way, Dulverton TA22 9HZ, UK51.041393898126366 -3.554077148437550.723215898126362 -4.1995241484375 51.359571898126369 -2.9086301484375tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-28242984561308602262017-08-29T16:55:00.001+01:002017-08-29T16:55:21.718+01:00Journey around the West Cotswolds part 2<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EartFKNjoP0/WZ7yu1D8tjI/AAAAAAAAOTQ/kTNMTEqvyHEaGltBUIalh-2UclvxiAxvQCLcBGAs/s1600/Redcombe%2BPamorama%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Cotswolds landscape around Rendcombe College in Gloucestershire" border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EartFKNjoP0/WZ7yu1D8tjI/AAAAAAAAOTQ/kTNMTEqvyHEaGltBUIalh-2UclvxiAxvQCLcBGAs/s640/Redcombe%2BPamorama%2B.jpg" title="Rendcombe college panoramic image" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Following on from my last post, here is the concluding part of my visit to the West Cotswolds, and I take a little meander through a couple of the Duntisbourne villages. Picture perfect little hamlets that don’t contain a great deal, but are a pleasure to spend time in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But first up was a stop at Rendcombe, or to be more precise, a stop at a view looking over Rendcombe College and some of the surrounding parkland. In the panoramic image above can be seen the main college building, built in 1865, along with a section of Rendcombe Park, which was established in 1544. As with all the images, just click on it to see a bigger version.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsY9xqKCF14/WZ7yvUU1XWI/AAAAAAAAOTc/LK-ZnLyI-_YhxN989RvCnGbhgBoaJO0VgCLcBGAs/s1600/St.%2BPeter%2527s%2BChurch%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Cotswold church of St. Peter's in the idyllic village of Duntisbourne Abbots" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsY9xqKCF14/WZ7yvUU1XWI/AAAAAAAAOTc/LK-ZnLyI-_YhxN989RvCnGbhgBoaJO0VgCLcBGAs/s640/St.%2BPeter%2527s%2BChurch%2B.jpg" title="St. Peter's Church in the Cotswold village of Duntisbourne Abbots" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">St. Peter's, with it's fetching yellow hedges.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next up was a visit to Duntisbourne Abbots, one of four villages to sport the Duntisbourne name in quick succession, because of their location along the River Dunt, a rather unremarkable tributary of the River Churn, as it heads towards Cirencester.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Duntisbourne Abbots is home to St. Peter’s Church, a 12th century structure that sits upon a high slope, looking down into the Dunt Valley and its densely wooded basin. The village, filled with large, quintessentially Cotswoldian abodes scattered about its oblique, but perfectly formed terrain, is a beautiful spot, and one of those places that makes you hope that the houses are occupied by permanent residents, who care for the place, rather than weekend second homers, who simply use it as a convenient getaway. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pEoD0jQ3zg0/WZ7yucBzJ5I/AAAAAAAAOTE/IwjU1C1X9YgdNXQ5n2PGEMo6LOtvy_asACLcBGAs/s1600/Duntisbourne%2BAbbots%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful village of Duntisbourne Abbots in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pEoD0jQ3zg0/WZ7yucBzJ5I/AAAAAAAAOTE/IwjU1C1X9YgdNXQ5n2PGEMo6LOtvy_asACLcBGAs/s640/Duntisbourne%2BAbbots%2B.jpg" title="Idyllic Cotswold scene at Duntisbourne Abbots village" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking down form the churchyard into the village itself.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having lived in Burford for several years, and in and around the Oxfordshire Cotswolds for several more, I obviously know that the Cotswolds are a desirable place to live, and will always attract those that wish to have a second, or third, or perhaps even fourth home away from London. But sometimes, a place seems so perfect and unspoilt that there is an unexplainable desire for the inhabitants, which you will never know, in a place, which you will rarely visit, to be invested emotionally in it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know it sounds like a load of sentimental guff, but the Cotswolds, with its astonishingly rich history, interwoven with its captivatingly, attractive village architecture and its heart wrenchingly, enthralling landscape just does something to a person, which is of course why it’s so popular. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv07CbOBNLQ/WZ7yumSIz-I/AAAAAAAAOTM/ONqA2Z_oQNYXRd-cicANV0Kvu7iA4pjYgCLcBGAs/s1600/Duntisbourne%2BAbbots%2BChurch%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Path leads to the historic church of St. Peter's in the Cotswold village of Duntisbourne Abbots" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv07CbOBNLQ/WZ7yumSIz-I/AAAAAAAAOTM/ONqA2Z_oQNYXRd-cicANV0Kvu7iA4pjYgCLcBGAs/s640/Duntisbourne%2BAbbots%2BChurch%2B.jpg" title="St. Peter's Church in the afternoon sun st Duntisbourne Abbots" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The sun decided to make an appearance, and brighten up the scene nicely.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway, after having an intrusive nose around the church and village, spoiling its rustic character no end, I carried on to the hamlet of Duntisbourne Rouse, to acquaint myself with its esteemed church, a rather splendiferous offering that borders on perfection itself.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zMtbhYq6NDA/WZ7yvtPfYvI/AAAAAAAAOTg/tKF6AqsJypklK8ksPMiqluOTmBawhLevQCLcBGAs/s1600/St.%2BPeter%2527s%2BChurch%2BGate%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Duntisbourne Abbots church of St. Peter seen through the old swing gate" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zMtbhYq6NDA/WZ7yvtPfYvI/AAAAAAAAOTg/tKF6AqsJypklK8ksPMiqluOTmBawhLevQCLcBGAs/s1600/St.%2BPeter%2527s%2BChurch%2BGate%2B.jpg" title="Gate of St. Peter's Church in the Cotswold village of Duntisbourne Abbots" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking through the historic gate onto St. Peter's Church</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The hamlet was recorded as Duntesburne in 1055 and Duntesborne in the 1086 Domesday Book, the name coming from the Old English for ‘stream of a man called Dunt’. The affix came from a family called le Rous, who were at one time the lords of the manor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s one of those places that if you’re not looking out for it, you can drive through and miss it entirely. The last census, in 2001, had the population at 70, and I’d say that was optimistic. If the residents, for whatever reason had decided as one, to take on alter egos so enabling each person to be counted two or three times in an effort to reach that figure, I would not be surprised.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8vFfazvHlw/WZ7yugbfDZI/AAAAAAAAOTI/NlfVEcp5CfMWqaLVbouJ9CUYZ12OcbiPgCLcBGAs/s1600/Duntisbourne%2BRouse%2BChurch%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Ancient Cotswold church of St. Michael's in Duntisbourne Rouse Cotswold village" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8vFfazvHlw/WZ7yugbfDZI/AAAAAAAAOTI/NlfVEcp5CfMWqaLVbouJ9CUYZ12OcbiPgCLcBGAs/s640/Duntisbourne%2BRouse%2BChurch%2B.jpg" title="Historic Saxon church at Duntisbourne Rouse in the Cotswolds" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A beautiful little scene at St. Michael's.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But what Duntisbourne Rouse lacks in citizens, it more than makes up for in its wonderful church. St. Michael’s, much like St. Peter’s, looks down from a slope, towards the Dunt Valley. It is reached via a small track from a small lane, (which is the main road through the village) and sits in splendid isolation among the scattering of gravestones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The church dates from Saxon times, and unlike most Saxon churches, it still retains some of its original features, including a small crypt beneath the building, which can be reached from a set of stairs around the back of the structure. The church was designated a Grade I listed building by English Heritage on 26th November 1958.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ib1j99wr1rk/WZ7yvI4GbnI/AAAAAAAAOTY/hksEh85kLhI0apvnbN9fkImYIIQHKzJzgCLcBGAs/s1600/St.%2BMichael%2527s%2BChurch%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Cotswold village church of St. Micheal's in Duntisbourne Rouse in the Cotswolds" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ib1j99wr1rk/WZ7yvI4GbnI/AAAAAAAAOTY/hksEh85kLhI0apvnbN9fkImYIIQHKzJzgCLcBGAs/s640/St.%2BMichael%2527s%2BChurch%2B.jpg" title="Duntisbourne Rouse Saxon church of St. Michael's" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking up the sloping graveyard towards the church.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is an incredibly atmospheric place, partly of course due to its location, but there is also something else at play. The building just looks old, practically every village in the Cotswolds has its own historic church, well, practically every village in the country has its own historic church. But sometimes you come across one and it just seems, well, different, there is something extra special about it, something deeper, an enigmatic presence, historical rather than spiritual in my case, which lends it an extraordinary tangibility of intense wonder. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJYU72-Y1dE/WZ7yvPEho3I/AAAAAAAAOTU/dLSbvOAmMeUS2DnVBiaPp5F5LfUbbqu8QCLcBGAs/s1600/Saxon%2BChurch%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Black and white image of the ancient Saxon church in the Cotswold village of Duntisbourne Rouse" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJYU72-Y1dE/WZ7yvPEho3I/AAAAAAAAOTU/dLSbvOAmMeUS2DnVBiaPp5F5LfUbbqu8QCLcBGAs/s640/Saxon%2BChurch%2B.jpg" title="Duntisbourne Rouse Church of St. Michael's in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A moody shot of this historic and characterful place.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So after spending some quality time in the church’s company, and having a good old nose around its historic interior, and drinking in the atmosphere, I said goodbye to the Duntisbournes and to this part of the Cotswolds in general, as it was time to return to normal life. </span><br />
<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0Duntisbourne Abbots, Cirencester GL7 7JN, UK51.769932999999988 -2.045548999999937226.247898499999987 -43.354142999999937 77.291967499999984 39.263045000000062tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-3928754334147280072017-08-25T21:55:00.001+01:002017-08-29T16:41:35.816+01:00Journey around the West Cotswolds part 1<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wa5PG6-44IU/WZ7x6F2lnaI/AAAAAAAAOSs/HvKmczs-sKo55q0BGu3jYNJ0AByBv6HBACLcBGAs/s1600/Painswick%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Landscape surrounding the Cotswold town of Painswick" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wa5PG6-44IU/WZ7x6F2lnaI/AAAAAAAAOSs/HvKmczs-sKo55q0BGu3jYNJ0AByBv6HBACLcBGAs/s640/Painswick%2B.jpg" title="Painswick in the Cotswolds from a distance" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I had a little excursion over to the West Cotswolds, around the Stroud area, as it was one of the few areas of the Cotswolds that I hadn’t spent much time. Unlike the gentle rolling landscape that is familiar Cotswold terrain, the west is marked by a steep escarpment down to the Severn Valley. This is known as the Cotswold escarpment, or the Cotswold Edge, and is a result of the uplifting (tilting) of the limestone layer, exposing its broken edge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As a result, the villages and towns that reside here are so well nestled into the steep, undulating terrain, that from a distance, they often have the appearance of looking like they have grown directly from the earth, and are a natural part of the topography.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDCcJhLSjwQ/WZ7x640fzzI/AAAAAAAAOS4/wWKRaIExfRERbJViLyEul4FEbrVGKlOIACLcBGAs/s1600/St.%2BMary%2527s%2BChurch%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Sunshine of the yew trees and historic church of St. Mary's in Painswick" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDCcJhLSjwQ/WZ7x640fzzI/AAAAAAAAOS4/wWKRaIExfRERbJViLyEul4FEbrVGKlOIACLcBGAs/s640/St.%2BMary%2527s%2BChurch%2B01%2B.jpg" title="St. Mary's Church and ancient yew trees" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">St. Mary's Church and some of its ancient yew trees.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My first stop was in the beautiful town of Painswick, which first appeared in the Domesday Book, as Painswik, probably named for an earlier lord of the manor, Pain Fitzjohn, one of King Henry I ‘new men’ and who also owned Ludlow Castle in Shropshire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of England’s oldest wool towns, and sitting on a hilltop, it is one of the best preserved settlements in the Cotswolds. Built from the mellow honey-coloured stone from nearby Painswick Beacon, the town justifies its name as ‘The Queen of the Cotswolds’. Up until recently, it was home to the oldest building in England to hold a Post Office, sadly, this has recently closed.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xP6OzW7V-Xo/WZ7x5IC6H5I/AAAAAAAAOSg/5ZuLfEpT4Zs2gmKx8-u5S5dmjfoU76cgwCLcBGAs/s1600/Lychgate%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Bright green foliage on yew trees leading to the historic Lych Gate in the Painswick church of St. Mary's" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xP6OzW7V-Xo/WZ7x5IC6H5I/AAAAAAAAOSg/5ZuLfEpT4Zs2gmKx8-u5S5dmjfoU76cgwCLcBGAs/s640/Lychgate%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Yew trees line the path to the Lych Gate in Painswick" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking through an avenue of yews towards the lych gate.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">St. Mary’s Church is a Grade I listed building, with its oldest part, the north chapel, being constructed in 1377. During the English Civil War the church was occupied by the Parliamentarians, until the royalists captured the village </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">in 1644,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> after severe fighting. Bullet and cannon shot marks remain on the church tower to this day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The churchyard is home to 99 yew trees, which were planted in 1792. Legend has it that every time a 100th tree is planted, it won’t grow, legend also has it that it’s impossible to correctly count all 99. Although this is somewhat negated as each tree is now numbered with a little plaque. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D81uiJODer0/WZ7x6lNMmDI/AAAAAAAAOSw/2ZtO6Re6ovwWfh7iYRYT4ChPuHmMtn_lwCLcBGAs/s1600/Painswick%2BHouse%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Cotswold stone houses in the afternoon sunshine in Painswick in the Cotswolds" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D81uiJODer0/WZ7x6lNMmDI/AAAAAAAAOSw/2ZtO6Re6ovwWfh7iYRYT4ChPuHmMtn_lwCLcBGAs/s640/Painswick%2BHouse%2B.jpg" title="Image of houses in the Cotswold town of Painswick" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of Painswick's many fine streets, with nary a dog to be seen.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Each year on the Sunday after the feast of the nativity the children of Painswick encircle the church of St. Mary, join hands and perform a dance not unlike the Hokey-Kokie. During the dance a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipping_the_church" target="_blank">clypping song</a> is sung, this is believed to express the parishioner’s love of the church. There are only a few churches left in the country that still carry out this ceremony.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oIipz_oz0O8/WZ7x57RvG9I/AAAAAAAAOSo/Vy5rTQ7H9d8t2ZqCdKOBVY68VxBUSFSbwCLcBGAs/s1600/Painswick%2BCountryside%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Painswick town surrounded by lush landscape in the West Cotswolds" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oIipz_oz0O8/WZ7x57RvG9I/AAAAAAAAOSo/Vy5rTQ7H9d8t2ZqCdKOBVY68VxBUSFSbwCLcBGAs/s640/Painswick%2BCountryside%2B.jpg" title="Looking over the Cotswold town of Painswick from a distance" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The beautiful spire of St. Mary’s Church, stands some 639 feet above sea level.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Interestingly, in ancient times this was a very riotous occasion with many visitors flooding into the town to view the ceremony, bringing with them a great deal of drunkenness and lewd behaviour, along with a huge demand for food, and with local hostelries being desperate for meat, they resorted to making ‘Puppy Dog’ pies. Thankfully this tradition continues, with Painswick being the only place in the UK where eateries are allowed to serve canine meat, and which is why, you will never see a stray hound anywhere near the town.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hTY0deH1e0/WZ7x6j19OwI/AAAAAAAAOS0/IUETVmdlsJce1bDWoPq7ivjKJcy9GXSMQCLcBGAs/s1600/St.%2BMary%2527s%2BChurch%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="St. Mary's church and graveyard in the summer sunshine at Painswick in the Cotswolds" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hTY0deH1e0/WZ7x6j19OwI/AAAAAAAAOS0/IUETVmdlsJce1bDWoPq7ivjKJcy9GXSMQCLcBGAs/s1600/St.%2BMary%2527s%2BChurch%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Tall spire of St. Mary's church in the Cotswold town of Painswick" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Some of the 17th century chest tombs, carved by local craftsmen.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I’m kidding of course! This custom is re-enacted now, but with china dogs baked into pies instead. Although for some reason, you really will not see a stray dog in Painswick.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwBgLyiSyNQ/WZ7x7N9bdtI/AAAAAAAAOS8/3Hr-A71W1U0XSK6CPkLXPrt19dJTXg-mACLcBGAs/s1600/St.%2BMary%2527s%2BChurch%2BDoor%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Steps lead to an old wooden door on the side of St. Mary's Church in Painswick" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwBgLyiSyNQ/WZ7x7N9bdtI/AAAAAAAAOS8/3Hr-A71W1U0XSK6CPkLXPrt19dJTXg-mACLcBGAs/s1600/St.%2BMary%2527s%2BChurch%2BDoor%2B.jpg" title="Ancient door at St. Mary's Church in the Cotswold town of Painswick" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Some timeworn old steps.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Grade II listed half-timbered lych gate was built in 1901, with timbers from the old belfry. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Many churches have a lych gate built over the main entrance to the enclosed area round the church. The name, also spelt lich or lytch, is from the Anglo Saxon 'lich' meaning corpse. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The gate marks the division between consecrated and unconsecrated ground, where the bearers sheltered with the coffin, waiting for the clergyman to lead the procession before the burial. The original lych gates had seats, a lych cross and a lych stone - a slab on which the coffin rested.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9auMUEiN-0/WZ7x6FJ9Q3I/AAAAAAAAOSk/cGhXz6JoJ0kZe0FwHR8cEHiDNItTdgL1gCLcBGAs/s1600/Lychgate%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Ancient Lych Gate at St. Mary's Church in the Cotswold town of Painswick" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9auMUEiN-0/WZ7x6FJ9Q3I/AAAAAAAAOSk/cGhXz6JoJ0kZe0FwHR8cEHiDNItTdgL1gCLcBGAs/s640/Lychgate%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Green yew trees in front of the Lych Gate in Painswick" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The lych gate.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After spending a good amount of time in Painswick, I headed out into the countryside to get a view of the little village of Cranham. Here you can see an example of what I was nattering about earlier, how the settlement looks like it is part of the landscape, how it really seems to belong there.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-udKICVgTmb4/WZ7x5EDIPlI/AAAAAAAAOSY/nHsyDzPTkIIeKWpbirVNaKbXTOpypta3gCLcBGAs/s1600/Cranham%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Landscape image of the West Cotswolds and the village of Cranham" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-udKICVgTmb4/WZ7x5EDIPlI/AAAAAAAAOSY/nHsyDzPTkIIeKWpbirVNaKbXTOpypta3gCLcBGAs/s640/Cranham%2B01%2B.jpg" title="The village of Cranham nestles in the Cotswold countryside" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cranham village and surrounding landscape.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Apart from being an idyllic little village, Cranham was home to Gustav Holst for a while, and it was in ‘Midwinter Cottage’ that he wrote <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HWW_In_the_Bleak_Midwinter.ogg" target="_blank">In the Bleak Midwinter</a> for the Christmas Carol by Christina Rossetti. Cranham Sanatorium, which has since been demolished, was where George Orwell, in a bid to find some relief to the tuberculosis that would kill him 6 months later, put the finishing touches to 1984.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YiNQOUNivFs/WZ7x5DOU0OI/AAAAAAAAOSc/yMdijpLCSmosVGf-PNt4AJIiVHbDbz19QCLcBGAs/s1600/Cranham%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Nestled in a West Cotswold valley the beautiful village of Cranham is lit by the morning sunshine" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YiNQOUNivFs/WZ7x5DOU0OI/AAAAAAAAOSc/yMdijpLCSmosVGf-PNt4AJIiVHbDbz19QCLcBGAs/s640/Cranham%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Trees and field surround the picturesque Cotswold village of Cranham" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The view in autumn must be quite spectacular.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In part two, we visit the unspoiled and out of the way, Duntisbourne villages.</span><br />
<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0Painswick, Stroud GL6, UK51.7871669 -2.193555999999944151.747880900000006 -2.2742369999999443 51.8264529 -2.1128749999999439tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-73716010396637402502017-08-07T18:00:00.001+01:002017-08-07T18:00:53.085+01:00Cornucopia of wildlife at Ouse Fen 02<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Macro image of a Long-winged Conehead grasshopper in the undergrowth" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wP4ovSnr6YA/WYTc96BXa6I/AAAAAAAANkM/bzOv463O_GUK7d74aSQdYnrpmLZYgGuMQCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Long-winged%2BConehead%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Long-winged Conehead grasshopper up close" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Click on any image to see a larger version.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Part two of my little expedition to Ouse Fen Nature Reserve, which finds me on the lookout for its smaller inhabitants as they hide in undergrowth, doing their best to keep out of my way as I trample through their habitat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which makes it sound like I'm engaged in some sort of wanton destruction of their little homes, and in a sense I am, and I'm glad. No of course I'm not, but there is so much happening in the shrubs and the grasses, that just the act of walking among them reveals a bounty of wildlife, as they scurry or flap their way to safety.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So a keen eye allows you to follow their journey, and hopefully snap them as they temporarily rest among the brush, it's actually a very absorbing way to spend some time, as it engages you completely. No wonder grasshopper is the name of a yoga position.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Q9tzjdv2WQ/WYTc7YjFi0I/AAAAAAAANkM/YcMRqnyJAlsC08Bokm-mjlQl-JeOXt7OgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Common%2BBlue%2BAmong%2Bthe%2BBlackberries%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of a common blue butterfly at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Q9tzjdv2WQ/WYTc7YjFi0I/AAAAAAAANkM/YcMRqnyJAlsC08Bokm-mjlQl-JeOXt7OgCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Common%2BBlue%2BAmong%2Bthe%2BBlackberries%2B.jpg" title="Common blue butterfly on a blackberry bush" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Female common blue butterfly perches on a blackberry bush.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWWhPFVYLBU/WYTc9Qqa2pI/AAAAAAAANkM/0E8xYJAA19IYoW3IhA_La8I6iQgKCS6yACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Labyrinth%2BSpider%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a labyrinth spider in a hedge at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WWWhPFVYLBU/WYTc9Qqa2pI/AAAAAAAANkM/0E8xYJAA19IYoW3IhA_La8I6iQgKCS6yACPcBGAYYCw/s640/Labyrinth%2BSpider%2B02.jpg" title="Labyrinth spider in her nest looking at the camera" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This labyrinth spider watches me as I try and get a shot in focus.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WccK78W9wNo/WYTc-Wzxu7I/AAAAAAAANkM/niPaKRWCUv0GbOJ3X_ym2lX8o_BU0nOxACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Male%2BRuddy%2BDarter%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Scarlet dragonfly in the afternoon sunshine at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WccK78W9wNo/WYTc-Wzxu7I/AAAAAAAANkM/niPaKRWCUv0GbOJ3X_ym2lX8o_BU0nOxACPcBGAYYCw/s640/Male%2BRuddy%2BDarter%2B.jpg" title="Image of a male ruddy darter dragonfly at rest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Male ruddy darter takes a small rest in the afternoon sun.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPJhVFxKXUk/WYTc-QR3z4I/AAAAAAAANkM/vPtEXkCgH1cSIyNVdi8VAr36OTpBZ14xQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Meadow%2BGrasshopper%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of a meadow grasshopper at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPJhVFxKXUk/WYTc-QR3z4I/AAAAAAAANkM/vPtEXkCgH1cSIyNVdi8VAr36OTpBZ14xQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Meadow%2BGrasshopper%2B.jpg" title="Meadow grasshopper among the grass" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thankfully this meadow grasshopper lived up to its name, as I found it in a meadow. <br />I think we would have both been embarrassed if I'd discovered it somewhere else.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5GuaUCqXLs0/WYTc_g3JXBI/AAAAAAAANkM/apB8drCEozApHYFM7lAX9YkX6ZrS7OSjACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Reed%2BWarbler%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Looking through the reeds at a reed warbler bird at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5GuaUCqXLs0/WYTc_g3JXBI/AAAAAAAANkM/apB8drCEozApHYFM7lAX9YkX6ZrS7OSjACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Reed%2BWarbler%2B.jpg" title="Reed warbler perches among the reeds" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Reed warbler among the reeds, where they tend to stay most of the time, which <br />makes it very difficult to get a clear shot of them.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LOOfIlagOY/WYTc9Z_ZyyI/AAAAAAAANkM/2ZuOnk-NfXY2j3ZWYZrzRmred6A3UKy9ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Lesser%2BMarsh%2BGrasshopper%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a lesser marsh grasshopper looking like a dragon" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LOOfIlagOY/WYTc9Z_ZyyI/AAAAAAAANkM/2ZuOnk-NfXY2j3ZWYZrzRmred6A3UKy9ACPcBGAYYCw/s640/Lesser%2BMarsh%2BGrasshopper%2B01.jpg" title="Lesser marsh grasshopper looks directly at the camera" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A lesser marsh grasshopper looking very dragon like.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MlkDLtoNww/WYTdOOy8g8I/AAAAAAAANkM/VZVlCH6qfSU3eDJhiNt2Imu6orrDegFfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Lesser%2BMarsh%2BGrasshopper%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="A lesser marsh grasshopper sits among the grasses at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MlkDLtoNww/WYTdOOy8g8I/AAAAAAAANkM/VZVlCH6qfSU3eDJhiNt2Imu6orrDegFfwCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Lesser%2BMarsh%2BGrasshopper%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Macro photograph of a lesser marsh grasshopper" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here's the same fellow from above, much more recognisably a grasshopper.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7gbAxcQaabI/WYTc632klBI/AAAAAAAANkM/kBa6fHxTsLgYTrkTJFBb3x8U5_kKRgK5gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Barred%2BMoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of a brown barred moth with wing patter detail" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7gbAxcQaabI/WYTc632klBI/AAAAAAAANkM/kBa6fHxTsLgYTrkTJFBb3x8U5_kKRgK5gCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Barred%2BMoth.jpg" title="Barred moth sits in the sun among the grass" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A type of barred moth, with lovely variegated browns across its wings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1QU3oJ6Gwig/WYTc68oVxyI/AAAAAAAANkM/_e1s0vG_j34856NsTA9YQZ0ifOB7jPbGACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Bumblebee%2BCovered%2Bin%2BPollen%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="A large bumblebee sits on a purple flower while covered in pollen" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1QU3oJ6Gwig/WYTc68oVxyI/AAAAAAAANkM/_e1s0vG_j34856NsTA9YQZ0ifOB7jPbGACPcBGAYYCw/s640/Bumblebee%2BCovered%2Bin%2BPollen%2B.jpg" title="Macro image of a bumblebee on a thistle flower" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A rather plump bumblebee covered in pollen.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZO4HTIqpQ38/WYTc7k0hNrI/AAAAAAAANkM/9PvIn--Y5YkGOBzmNFaRjk8TWPzsjUdOQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Damselfly%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Highly detailed shot of a beautiful damselfly at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZO4HTIqpQ38/WYTc7k0hNrI/AAAAAAAANkM/9PvIn--Y5YkGOBzmNFaRjk8TWPzsjUdOQCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Damselfly%2B.jpg" title="Damselfly clings to a blade of grass in close up" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Probably a female blue damselfly, but minus the blue colour, which is not unusual.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zLCN_F_9Bj4/WYTc97M30KI/AAAAAAAANkM/SmkHrRbL720AmP9ZNwMJYVJQFmZniBmqACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Long-winged%2BConehead%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a long-winged conehead with long antenna and bright green colours" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zLCN_F_9Bj4/WYTc97M30KI/AAAAAAAANkM/SmkHrRbL720AmP9ZNwMJYVJQFmZniBmqACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Long-winged%2BConehead%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Long-winged conehead grasshopper on leaves up close" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Long-winged conehead grasshopper, the same type as in the first image, with <br />impressively rangy antenna.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZL9S2UhUOQI/WYTc8dwzuWI/AAAAAAAANkM/1zGDmQkR0WwjfAQfCD1vH6JCWVGkZaZ9wCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Female%2BBrown%2BHawker%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Brown and yellow brown hawker dragonfly up close with beautiful detail" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="641" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZL9S2UhUOQI/WYTc8dwzuWI/AAAAAAAANkM/1zGDmQkR0WwjfAQfCD1vH6JCWVGkZaZ9wCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Female%2BBrown%2BHawker%2B.jpg" title="Female brown hawker dragonfly perches on a blackberry bush" width="546" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A female brown hawker dragonfly on a blackberry bush.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7FO0vvkRun4/WYTc9Pv5btI/AAAAAAAANkM/uKVoalJxC0EHX3vcOcPkXRhUdb95CFQegCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Labyrinth%2BSpider%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a fearsome labyrinth spider in her tunnel web" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7FO0vvkRun4/WYTc9Pv5btI/AAAAAAAANkM/uKVoalJxC0EHX3vcOcPkXRhUdb95CFQegCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Labyrinth%2BSpider%2B01.jpg" title="Intimidating looking labyrinth spider waits in her nest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another one of a labyrinth spider, where you can really see its fearsome fangs.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0QsQUzH3gk/WYTdBJM9VqI/AAAAAAAANkM/Adk0dfyLjYoBYZqL3yfq4iQZDOyDFOWkQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Speckled%2BWood%2Band%2BBlackberries%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Afternoon sunlight on a speckled wood butterfly at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0QsQUzH3gk/WYTdBJM9VqI/AAAAAAAANkM/Adk0dfyLjYoBYZqL3yfq4iQZDOyDFOWkQCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Speckled%2BWood%2Band%2BBlackberries%2B.jpg" title="Speckled wood butterfly sits on the leaves of a blackberry bush" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A speckled wood butterfly warming itself in the late afternoon sunshine.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0RSPB Ouse Fen Reserve, 10 Bluntisham Rd, Needingworth, Saint Ives PE27 4TA, UK52.3355898 -0.02206019999994168826.8135553 -41.330654199999941 77.8576243 41.286533800000058tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-80279736255069171502017-08-06T20:12:00.001+01:002017-08-06T20:12:36.878+01:00Cornucopia of wildlife at Ouse Fen 01 <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--UaOdADnCXk/WYTc61Hoc0I/AAAAAAAANiY/lKd38bHfxKALmqibCIKRjkrubsFbTBT1gCLcBGAs/s1600/Collection%2Bof%2BSix-spot%2BBurnets%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Black and red moths on pruple flowers at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--UaOdADnCXk/WYTc61Hoc0I/AAAAAAAANiY/lKd38bHfxKALmqibCIKRjkrubsFbTBT1gCLcBGAs/s640/Collection%2Bof%2BSix-spot%2BBurnets%2B.jpg" title="Several six-spot burnet moths on thistle flowers" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Click on any image for a closer look.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another visit to Ouse Fen Nature Reserve, a place I can’t seem to keep away from at the moment, mainly thanks the plethora of insect life that throng the flower meadows this time of year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So cue some close up images of moths, butterflies, ladybirds, wasps, crickets, grasshoppers, skippers, spiders and dragonflies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’ve stuck half of them in this post and the rest will be in the next one, so check back in a couple of days for more colourful insect goodness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let the show begin…</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBoO4_rbe78/WYTc8lHp5sI/AAAAAAAANi4/2J3ZerWfVdkUQNgzLJ9Bd_67B80fZDZGgCLcBGAs/s1600/Gatekeeper%2Bon%2BCow%2BParsley%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Orange and brown gatekeeper up close at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBoO4_rbe78/WYTc8lHp5sI/AAAAAAAANi4/2J3ZerWfVdkUQNgzLJ9Bd_67B80fZDZGgCLcBGAs/s640/Gatekeeper%2Bon%2BCow%2BParsley%2B.jpg" title="Gatekeeper butterfly on some cow parsley flowers" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gatekeeper butterfly on some cow parsley.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zz1ODuu6j8g/WYTdAz24lwI/AAAAAAAANj4/B2GtdexFRtEKMcDz9ButWagxqJ9lZICogCLcBGAs/s1600/Skipper%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Skipper insect in detail at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zz1ODuu6j8g/WYTdAz24lwI/AAAAAAAANj4/B2GtdexFRtEKMcDz9ButWagxqJ9lZICogCLcBGAs/s640/Skipper%2B.jpg" title="Close up image of a skipper with orange wings" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Closely related to butterflies and moths, skippers comprise of around 3,500 species, most of which are <br />notoriously difficult to tell apart, as they are predominantly orange/brown in colour, so I'm not even <br />going to try and tell you what type this one is.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6rdQM0-VWTM/WYTc_OtczII/AAAAAAAANjg/Lo_SL-vM8noLDlpgUtSjJRhwG09KpFGvQCLcBGAs/s1600/Red%2BAdmiral%2BFeeding%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Red admiral drinks nectar from teasel flowers at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6rdQM0-VWTM/WYTc_OtczII/AAAAAAAANjg/Lo_SL-vM8noLDlpgUtSjJRhwG09KpFGvQCLcBGAs/s640/Red%2BAdmiral%2BFeeding%2B.jpg" title="Old red admiral butterfly sips nectar from a teasel flower" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Nicely detailed shot of this red admiral, it's a shame his wings are so ragged.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ctsniKlf2V4/WYTc8axt1OI/AAAAAAAANiw/4YK7JbHoHL44IjqnkWkCzA-q0PD6sosfACLcBGAs/s1600/Digger%2BWasp%2Band%2BLadybird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a digger wasp and a seven spot ladybird at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ctsniKlf2V4/WYTc8axt1OI/AAAAAAAANiw/4YK7JbHoHL44IjqnkWkCzA-q0PD6sosfACLcBGAs/s640/Digger%2BWasp%2Band%2BLadybird.jpg" title="Digger wasp and ladybird on purple thistles" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A digger wasp and seven spot ladybird clamber about a thistle.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9g3gCeS7MQ/WYTdBTYwhoI/AAAAAAAANkE/K8hRpMl3oVoxpqNwJX3PEc8vNRselLvaACLcBGAs/s1600/Two%2BBurnets%2Band%2Ba%2BLadybird%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Burnet moths cling to the purple flowers of a thistle at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9g3gCeS7MQ/WYTdBTYwhoI/AAAAAAAANkE/K8hRpMl3oVoxpqNwJX3PEc8vNRselLvaACLcBGAs/s1600/Two%2BBurnets%2Band%2Ba%2BLadybird%2B.jpg" title="Six-spot burnets sip nectar from thistle flowers" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A couple of six-spot burnets, a type of moth, show off their vibrant markings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPIhOYBeRBI/WYTdBVO1sfI/AAAAAAAANkA/azy7di73iwEJ9zFXPlQ53yEkkULKP-OeQCLcBGAs/s1600/Tiny%2BSpider%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of an orange spider weaving a web at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPIhOYBeRBI/WYTdBVO1sfI/AAAAAAAANkA/azy7di73iwEJ9zFXPlQ53yEkkULKP-OeQCLcBGAs/s640/Tiny%2BSpider%2B.jpg" title="Tiny spider up close spins its web in the bushes" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tiny spider spins a web among the leaves of a bush.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVM756xvdzQ/WYTc8-qt5-I/AAAAAAAANi8/Z3tDPJsnjuouJ4Dd6O01gP4DpcuM3XK2ACLcBGAs/s1600/Giant%2BDaisy%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="A single giant daisy in yellow and white at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVM756xvdzQ/WYTc8-qt5-I/AAAAAAAANi8/Z3tDPJsnjuouJ4Dd6O01gP4DpcuM3XK2ACLcBGAs/s1600/Giant%2BDaisy%2B.jpg" title="Giant daisy up close and in detail in the undergrowth" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Giant daisy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZP61_DfV1c/WYTc_7tSObI/AAAAAAAANjs/1o_NxeW09MstsRvWsZX8eWkX3TwMvtruACLcBGAs/s1600/Seven%2BSpotted%2BLadybirds%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="A couple of ladybirds on a thistle in this macro shot at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZP61_DfV1c/WYTc_7tSObI/AAAAAAAANjs/1o_NxeW09MstsRvWsZX8eWkX3TwMvtruACLcBGAs/s640/Seven%2BSpotted%2BLadybirds%2B.jpg" title="Seven spot ladybirds crawl over a thistle plant in bloom" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">2 seven spot ladybirds discuss something important.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRXLbfAbuY0/WYTc_fKAiaI/AAAAAAAANjk/B-fLm105UfgsAmxVWkJNByLDJFs_EOYNwCLcBGAs/s1600/Red%2BAdmiral%2Bin%2BFlight%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Red admiral captured while flying up close at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve " border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRXLbfAbuY0/WYTc_fKAiaI/AAAAAAAANjk/B-fLm105UfgsAmxVWkJNByLDJFs_EOYNwCLcBGAs/s640/Red%2BAdmiral%2Bin%2BFlight%2B.jpg" title="Image of a red admiral butterfly in flight through the grasses" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Managed to capture this red admiral on the wing as it flew through the grasses.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ag2La6DEvRA/WYTdAdukM5I/AAAAAAAANj0/OH0I7nsdmNIAzA2YBm6YFd6romK5vyWYACLcBGAs/s1600/Six-spot%2BBurnets%2BFeeding%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of black and red moths on a purple flower at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="980" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ag2La6DEvRA/WYTdAdukM5I/AAAAAAAANj0/OH0I7nsdmNIAzA2YBm6YFd6romK5vyWYACLcBGAs/s640/Six-spot%2BBurnets%2BFeeding%2B.jpg" title="Vibrant six-spot burnets on a thistle flower up close" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Six-spot burnets again, having a good old feed.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AptDiWQjoTI/WYTc7pCtthI/AAAAAAAANio/wtlqy4yx28kHJwBjp1bnGMzVKuijpbCyACLcBGAs/s1600/Dappled%2BSunlight%2Bon%2BWing%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of a meadow brown on white flowers at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AptDiWQjoTI/WYTc7pCtthI/AAAAAAAANio/wtlqy4yx28kHJwBjp1bnGMzVKuijpbCyACLcBGAs/s1600/Dappled%2BSunlight%2Bon%2BWing%2B.jpg" title="Meadow brown butterfly on cow parsley flowers" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A meadow brown with dappled sunlight on its wings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-co73gz5DBdI/WYTc8BsYp3I/AAAAAAAANis/FxtVOZoeEy0lPzZFvrMEYFrSEKTcfZ4ZwCLcBGAs/s1600/Digger%2BWasp%2BEyeing%2BUp%2BSome%2BLunch%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a black and yellow wasp and orange ladybird at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-co73gz5DBdI/WYTc8BsYp3I/AAAAAAAANis/FxtVOZoeEy0lPzZFvrMEYFrSEKTcfZ4ZwCLcBGAs/s1600/Digger%2BWasp%2BEyeing%2BUp%2BSome%2BLunch%2B.jpg" title="Digger wasp watches a seven spot ladybird on a thistle" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This digger wasp seems to have taken an interest in the ladybird now, could be time <br />for a spot of lunch.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTK8WSZoNRY/WYTdAK5l-yI/AAAAAAAANjw/6vJLM0BszOYsxnVcCV71Hy4cO1eWQHc4wCLcBGAs/s1600/Six-spot%2BBurnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a black and red moth on a purple teasel flower at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTK8WSZoNRY/WYTdAK5l-yI/AAAAAAAANjw/6vJLM0BszOYsxnVcCV71Hy4cO1eWQHc4wCLcBGAs/s1600/Six-spot%2BBurnet.jpg" title="Single six-spot burnet on a teasel flower up close " /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Typical of all moths, this burnet has feathered antenna, unlike butterflies and <br />skippers which have stem-like apendages.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fIzTW5dXFwM/WYTc--yzTpI/AAAAAAAANjc/Xc-B5yRxmRQvCX_ywUAXqXlkHon-3D3FQCLcBGAs/s1600/Peacock%2BDesign%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Open wings of a peacock butterfly among the grass at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="980" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fIzTW5dXFwM/WYTc--yzTpI/AAAAAAAANjc/Xc-B5yRxmRQvCX_ywUAXqXlkHon-3D3FQCLcBGAs/s640/Peacock%2BDesign%2B.jpg" title="Macro image of a beautiful peacock butterfly" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Couldn't resist the eye catching pattern of this peacock among the grass.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com1RSPB Ouse Fen Reserve, 10 Bluntisham Rd, Needingworth, Saint Ives PE27 4TA, UK52.3355898 -0.02206019999994168826.8135553 -41.330654199999941 77.8576243 41.286533800000058tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-78910695984147289862017-07-26T17:33:00.000+01:002017-07-26T17:33:25.773+01:00Unusual trees at Hayley Wood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vxxqulYg3lM/WXem8dzyEeI/AAAAAAAANSw/lMBc3_MwCHwEz9wshB5J3jQRgNXNl2a3ACLcBGAs/s1600/Tree%2BRing%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black and white image of entwined trees at the Wildlife Trust Hayley Wood Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vxxqulYg3lM/WXem8dzyEeI/AAAAAAAANSw/lMBc3_MwCHwEz9wshB5J3jQRgNXNl2a3ACLcBGAs/s640/Tree%2BRing%2B.jpg" title="Tree circle at Hayley Wood Nature Reserve" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the many important woodland sites managed by the Wildlife Trust in this part of the country, is the always interesting Hayley Wood. I took a trip over there recently, with my camera in tow, to get a few shots of the interesting trees that it contains.</span><div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_dFMFG6MvqE/WXem606Ld1I/AAAAAAAANSU/59bdgssnh6oLE3SsKyBhHo_UQVKkWmCpwCLcBGAs/s1600/400%2BYear%2BOld%2BOak%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sun shines through the tree canopy onto an ancient oak tree at Hayley Wood Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_dFMFG6MvqE/WXem606Ld1I/AAAAAAAANSU/59bdgssnh6oLE3SsKyBhHo_UQVKkWmCpwCLcBGAs/s1600/400%2BYear%2BOld%2BOak%2B.jpg" title="400 year old oak tree at Hayley Wood Nature Reserve" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The ancient oak is over 400 years old, so was born in the same century as the Great <br />Fire of London, and it still produces leaves. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A large wood in this area of the parish was mentioned in the 1068 Domesday Book, but by 1251 it had been split into two: Hayley Wood and Littlehound Wood. Agriculture in the area declined after 1350 and the wooded area expanded, and by 1650, Hayley Wood covered 120 acres and Littlehound 40. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Around 1655, Littlehound was 'new stubbed' and disappeared under cultivation, although its outline can still be seen in the form of field boundaries. Hayley Wood however, was confiscated from the Bishop of Ely by Queen Elizabeth in 1579 and became privately owned. The woodland was bought in 1962 by the Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Naturalists' Trust, for preservation as an undamaged example of coppiced woodland.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWW9o8zKWFA/WXem8eKOcEI/AAAAAAAANS0/2T4R0zAmVngnbP-GHrHoKBVFJCUvQzTPQCLcBGAs/s1600/Tree%2BSculpture%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Weather worn old tree formed into a work of art in the woodland of Hayley Wood Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWW9o8zKWFA/WXem8eKOcEI/AAAAAAAANS0/2T4R0zAmVngnbP-GHrHoKBVFJCUvQzTPQCLcBGAs/s640/Tree%2BSculpture%2B.jpg" title="A natural tree sculpture in black and white at Hayley Wood Nature Reserve" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This natural sculpture is the remains of a fallen tree that has been weathered over many years.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management which takes advantage of the fact that many trees make new growth from the stump or roots if cut down. In a coppiced wood, which is called a copse, young tree stems are repeatedly cut down to near ground level. In subsequent growth years, many new shoots will emerge, and, after a number of years the coppiced tree, or stool, is ready to be harvested, and the cycle begins again. Pollarding is a similar process carried out at a higher level on the tree.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1CING2gCEzU/WXem7xaTe6I/AAAAAAAANTs/1VkP2O9XN7UDODEFo0WmPo_ysdUcd2gswCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Old%2BPollard%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Landscape of a woodland coppice stool in the Wildlife trust managed Hayley Wood" border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="980" height="306" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1CING2gCEzU/WXem7xaTe6I/AAAAAAAANTs/1VkP2O9XN7UDODEFo0WmPo_ysdUcd2gswCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Old%2BPollard%2B.jpg" title="Coppiced tree stool covered in moss at in Hayley Wood" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Close up of a coppice stool covered in moss.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coppicing maintains trees at a juvenile stage, and a regularly coppiced tree will never die of old age—some coppice stools may therefore reach immense ages. The age of a stool may be estimated from its diameter, and some are so large—perhaps as much as 18 ft across—that they are thought to have been continually coppiced for centuries. It is this coppicing that produces such unusual and bizarre tree formations.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAb3YesgVhs/WXem8oIhuQI/AAAAAAAANS4/_sYy9Ig9cAgXdv8A8fFhLUsVAnrRsJtjwCLcBGAs/s1600/Trees%2BEntwined%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Woodland photography at the Hayley Wood Nature Reserve managed by the Wildlife trust" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAb3YesgVhs/WXem8oIhuQI/AAAAAAAANS4/_sYy9Ig9cAgXdv8A8fFhLUsVAnrRsJtjwCLcBGAs/s640/Trees%2BEntwined%2B.jpg" title="Trees form a ring in the ancient forest of Hayley Wood Nature Reserve" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">These trees have become intertwined after one fell and caught the other one, thereby altering the direction <br />of its growth. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unusually, the wood was fenced off in 1972, to protect the oxlip population from deer, as they love nothing better than to munch on the the buttery yellow flowers, and oxlip is a plant that only grows in a handful of places in the UK and is considered threatened. So it was well needed, and it has certainly done its job, as Hayley Wood now boasts one of the largest oxlip displays in the country.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2-2-11iMSI/WXem69i5taI/AAAAAAAANSc/J9fbzg5ZO3EJfRRg7GAVkFLAUGPw7R3CQCLcBGAs/s1600/Lizard%2BTree%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Detail shot of an animal face in a tree at Hayley Wood Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2-2-11iMSI/WXem69i5taI/AAAAAAAANSc/J9fbzg5ZO3EJfRRg7GAVkFLAUGPw7R3CQCLcBGAs/s640/Lizard%2BTree%2B.jpg" title="Close up image of a branch that resembles a lizard face" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Close up of a section of a dead branch that seems to resemble the face of a lizard type creature.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unfortunately I was there at the wrong time of year to appreciate the creamy blonde florets that carpet the woodland floor in spring. But that was of no matter, as it was the trees I was there to see, in particular, the more eccentric examples that dot the nature reserve, and catch the eye. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eNzSab8vGLE/WXem6-sFLAI/AAAAAAAANSY/Iayzef2oDdQaq7DKnN5u6bdIVOm5Fg6sQCLcBGAs/s1600/Ancient%2BOak%2BInterior%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Ancient oak under sunlight at Hayley Wood Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eNzSab8vGLE/WXem6-sFLAI/AAAAAAAANSY/Iayzef2oDdQaq7DKnN5u6bdIVOm5Fg6sQCLcBGAs/s1600/Ancient%2BOak%2BInterior%2B.jpg" title="Looking up a 400 year old oak tree towards the sun" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking up towards the woodland canopy, along the interior of the old oak tree.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQcc_11DnqA/WXem7R9laQI/AAAAAAAANSg/Jz2psLVEzScNV6tHPR0nU7Qb0hhYz7MKQCLcBGAs/s1600/Natural%2BArt%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful work of natural art from a tree at the Wildlife Trust Hayley Wood Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQcc_11DnqA/WXem7R9laQI/AAAAAAAANSg/Jz2psLVEzScNV6tHPR0nU7Qb0hhYz7MKQCLcBGAs/s1600/Natural%2BArt%2B.jpg" title="Old tree remains form a natural sculpture at Hayley Wood Nature Reserve" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another view of this natural work of art.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQZwFnj19l8/WXem8C_oSHI/AAAAAAAANSs/CBtjNM-eVv0tmp5dVa81BVMKMU1mmL5OACLcBGAs/s1600/Remnant%2Bof%2BBark%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Photograph of tree bark textures in the ancient woodland of Hayley Wood Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQZwFnj19l8/WXem8C_oSHI/AAAAAAAANSs/CBtjNM-eVv0tmp5dVa81BVMKMU1mmL5OACLcBGAs/s640/Remnant%2Bof%2BBark%2B.jpg" title="Detail image of old tree bark at Hayley Wood Nature Reserve" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Remains of bark on an old tree.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7FSuRkPjyrM/WXem7-XoSoI/AAAAAAAANSk/kBrf0L_eNU8cwvjWiMm7vOnfyR6Pr-AdwCLcBGAs/s1600/Organic%2BArch%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Monochrome close up image of part of an ancient tree at Hayley Wood Nature Reserve " border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7FSuRkPjyrM/WXem7-XoSoI/AAAAAAAANSk/kBrf0L_eNU8cwvjWiMm7vOnfyR6Pr-AdwCLcBGAs/s640/Organic%2BArch%2B.jpg" title="A natural arch from an old tree in detail and black and white" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Interesting to see the line of the wood grain and how the branch managed to grow at right angles.</span></td></tr>
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Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com2B1046, Cambridge CB23, UK52.1602439451256 -0.1114082336425781252.1578089451256 -0.11645073364257813 52.1626789451256 -0.10636573364257812tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-22285115959665928822017-07-23T18:35:00.001+01:002017-07-23T18:35:56.327+01:00Here be dragon(flies) and a damselfly<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bLiGKwJJx-Y/WXO6GjjCn4I/AAAAAAAANNg/GZRn5QScfqsNEX_VXQjtn5nVgXSzzzdRQCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BCommon%2BDarter%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a female common darter dragonfly taken at Ouse Fens" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="427" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bLiGKwJJx-Y/WXO6GjjCn4I/AAAAAAAANNg/GZRn5QScfqsNEX_VXQjtn5nVgXSzzzdRQCLcBGAs/s640/Female%2BCommon%2BDarter%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Female common darter dragonfly posed on a stick" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Following on from my recent, and relatively unsuccessful trip to get some images of dragonflies, I decided to give it another go, but at a different location. And thankfully it worked out a lot better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These little beauties were a lot more cooperative, and sat still for minutes at a time in some cases. Which meant I wasn’t left to ineptly flounder about, in a bumbling clownish manner, in an effort to track them on the wing. I could take my sweet time about it, within reason of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As an added bonus, there were a few different species about as well, so I could get a bit of variety in the shots. I still can’t decide if dragonflies up close are the stuff of nightmares, or incredibly beautiful, but whatever they may or may not be, they are certainly an interesting subject to photograph, and I was there for a good couple of hours or so, snapping away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I give you a small selection of dragonflies, and a beautiful little damselfly to finish off with, and that is all I can give you.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gY1LN3vNJJA/WXO6IJD3n9I/AAAAAAAANOE/sH2i2D43ROAiHnQXjryCVNNRmjJLrDfTQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Female%2BRuddy%2BDarter%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Close up image of a female ruddy darter dragonfly from behind at Ouse Fen" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gY1LN3vNJJA/WXO6IJD3n9I/AAAAAAAANOE/sH2i2D43ROAiHnQXjryCVNNRmjJLrDfTQCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Female%2BRuddy%2BDarter%2B02.jpg" title="Female ruddy darter dragonfly perched on a dead flower" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A female ruddy darter on a dead flower. The detail on their thorax and wings is incredible.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaJVKvfThfw/WXO6Ibk-kWI/AAAAAAAANOA/F9z_ynoBEiUTQkAplro_0V2LKJuZ3cJ2QCLcBGAs/s1600/Hawker%2BDragonfly%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a brown and white common Hawker Dragonfly at Ouse Fen" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaJVKvfThfw/WXO6Ibk-kWI/AAAAAAAANOA/F9z_ynoBEiUTQkAplro_0V2LKJuZ3cJ2QCLcBGAs/s640/Hawker%2BDragonfly%2B.jpg" title="Common Hawker Dragonfly clinging to a cane" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It may be known as a common hawker, but there is nothing common about its appearance.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWicSb1jywY/WXO6HHyPIrI/AAAAAAAANNo/xKuK0nl9R2sEbY55yIy0T__qVPHFJeo8gCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BCommon%2BDarter%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="At rest in the nature reserve at Ouse Fen a female common darter dragonfly" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWicSb1jywY/WXO6HHyPIrI/AAAAAAAANNo/xKuK0nl9R2sEbY55yIy0T__qVPHFJeo8gCLcBGAs/s640/Female%2BCommon%2BDarter%2B03%2B.jpg" title="A female common darter dragonfly up close" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A nice clear image of a female common darter, the same species as in the image at the top of the page, <br />which in the first picture, to my mind, looks a bit like Homer Simpson.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRReSvjKJDE/WXO6HaidqPI/AAAAAAAANNs/mOJjvBqGZ18D-koKOJvLtSSS-r0KxRt3ACLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BCommon%2BDarter%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro photography of a female common darter dragonfly at Ouse Fens Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRReSvjKJDE/WXO6HaidqPI/AAAAAAAANNs/mOJjvBqGZ18D-koKOJvLtSSS-r0KxRt3ACLcBGAs/s640/Female%2BCommon%2BDarter%2B04%2B.jpg" title="Face and wings of a female common darter dragonfly" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The face and eyes of a female common darter, along with the intricate structure of the wings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eI8GKlin1rI/WXO6GumBb3I/AAAAAAAANNc/vDTptlkuMpYE11ED-J1JE708sitw66lHQCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BBlack%2BTailed%2BSkimmer%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of a vibrant yellow female black tailed skimmer dragonfly" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eI8GKlin1rI/WXO6GumBb3I/AAAAAAAANNc/vDTptlkuMpYE11ED-J1JE708sitw66lHQCLcBGAs/s640/Female%2BBlack%2BTailed%2BSkimmer%2B.jpg" title="Female black tailed skimmer dragonfly resting on some pebbles " width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A female black tailed skimmer is partly camouflaged by the pebbles she rests on.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3uYxKizaJA/WXO6GZBA0wI/AAAAAAAANNk/lFYO4onEXXYUfcO8ucNKjHIwYh6eK7KLQCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BCommon%2BDarter%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Detailed macro image of a female common darter dragonfly at Ouse Fen" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3uYxKizaJA/WXO6GZBA0wI/AAAAAAAANNk/lFYO4onEXXYUfcO8ucNKjHIwYh6eK7KLQCLcBGAs/s640/Female%2BCommon%2BDarter%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Back of a female common darter dragonfly at rest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The rear view of another female common darter. I like the little touches of red along the back.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mj0miS756uc/WXO6HjkE1pI/AAAAAAAANN0/EYawVrwxSHoYQTsxC47uRrHwM2jO5MJQwCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BFour%2BSpotted%2BChaser%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="A weathered old four spotted chaser rests on a cane at Ouse Fens Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mj0miS756uc/WXO6HjkE1pI/AAAAAAAANN0/EYawVrwxSHoYQTsxC47uRrHwM2jO5MJQwCLcBGAs/s640/Female%2BFour%2BSpotted%2BChaser%2B.jpg" title="Close up image of a female four spotted chaser dragonfly" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A rather weathered old male four spotted chaser, that has obviously been around for a while defending <br />its territory.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OlOBSg1QAl0/WXO6HxSUXZI/AAAAAAAANN4/qE5IlKMxA9gxHOLSXNdb4PeVOdGDOm5hQCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BRuddy%2BDarter%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro photography of a female ruddy darter dragonfly with green reeds in the background" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OlOBSg1QAl0/WXO6HxSUXZI/AAAAAAAANN4/qE5IlKMxA9gxHOLSXNdb4PeVOdGDOm5hQCLcBGAs/s640/Female%2BRuddy%2BDarter%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Colourful image of a female ruddy darter dragonfly at rest" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A female ruddy darter soaking up the afternoon sunshine.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oV_VGGQ8OW0/WXO6HvdTEUI/AAAAAAAANNw/S5_D5ER5X8QCiw2Gske0HKlWkuvwBCdhwCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BEmerald%2BDamselfly%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Delicate close up image of a female emerald damselfly clinging to a reed at Ouse Fen" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oV_VGGQ8OW0/WXO6HvdTEUI/AAAAAAAANNw/S5_D5ER5X8QCiw2Gske0HKlWkuvwBCdhwCLcBGAs/s640/Female%2BEmerald%2BDamselfly%2B.jpg" title="Macro image of an female emerald damselfly on a grass stem" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And finally, a lovely looking female emerald damselfly.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-26078422773051197582017-07-22T21:34:00.001+01:002017-07-22T21:34:44.934+01:00Beautiful blue butterflies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFCbIDa-tEI/WXOoTj0ER-I/AAAAAAAANMc/8VJf4Lo_RbI-Is095MY7PQJ49hvjU-W-QCLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BBlue%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a vibrant common blue butterfly on a thistle leaf" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFCbIDa-tEI/WXOoTj0ER-I/AAAAAAAANMc/8VJf4Lo_RbI-Is095MY7PQJ49hvjU-W-QCLcBGAs/s640/Common%2BBlue%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Common blue butterfly up close" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In my recent excursions to photograph the insects that are about and about in abundance this time of year, I have had an eye out for blue butterflies, but I’ve not actually come across any, and the more I didn’t see any, the more I’ve been hankering to discover some.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The common blue would be the species I’d most likely find, as it is the most widespread of the blue butterflies in Britain, and as the name suggests, it is one of the most common butterflies in Europe. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7njJSTFN1eE/WXOoUvneD_I/AAAAAAAANM0/iPdkfgS0wvwJIwsbR5ELWflY1odsoa5mQCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2B%2526%2BMale%2BCommon%2BBlues%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="close up image of female common blue butterfly with a male in the background" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7njJSTFN1eE/WXOoUvneD_I/AAAAAAAANM0/iPdkfgS0wvwJIwsbR5ELWflY1odsoa5mQCLcBGAs/s640/Female%2B%2526%2BMale%2BCommon%2BBlues%2B.jpg" title="Female common blue butterfly perched on grass" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A female rests on some grass, with a male rattling about behind her.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The males are unashamedly conspicuous, with a striking bluish-violet colour, but females, whose behaviour tends to be more secretive, are brown with orange spots near the margins of the wings. In both sexes, the undersides of the wings are greyish brown with blackish spots and orange crescents towards the margins of the wings.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRAPvzARVmM/WXOoUCtbazI/AAAAAAAANMo/wsR0hIPe0hYtRxFLj4hiUTbIeoIDa7qIwCLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BBlue%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="A common blue butterfly spreads its wings at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRAPvzARVmM/WXOoUCtbazI/AAAAAAAANMo/wsR0hIPe0hYtRxFLj4hiUTbIeoIDa7qIwCLcBGAs/s640/Common%2BBlue%2B04%2B.jpg" title="Macro photography of a common blue butterfly" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A male with wings spread, showing off its vibrant colour.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thankfully, on a recent walk, I happened across a small colony of common blues fluttering among the flowers and grasses, so I headed back the other day, camera in hand, to grab a few shots of the little scamps. And they are indeed quite little, their wingspans only measuring about half that of a red admiral for example.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2QC6Ao4AqU/WXOoUWS0VGI/AAAAAAAANMs/OlaayP5fdd0k39FcCajAbix7vsoTeZWewCLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BBlue%2BFemale%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of a beautifully patterned female common blue butterfly" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2QC6Ao4AqU/WXOoUWS0VGI/AAAAAAAANMs/OlaayP5fdd0k39FcCajAbix7vsoTeZWewCLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BBlue%2BFemale%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Female common blue butterfly with wings closed" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A female displays the intricate pattern on her underwing.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So needless to say, and yet for some reason I am going to say it anyway, capturing any decent shots of them proved to be a tough ask, especially as the males rarely settled in one spot, and seemed intent on endlessly flitting about and battling with each other, rather than staying still for my viewing pleasure. But I persisted, and after a couple of hours I had the shots I was after, and there was nothing they could do about it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icKV90N-Dfo/WXOoTjKGlvI/AAAAAAAANMg/6VJt5EGpVdMMe8_yKngwJsTtW-JbfxZCwCLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BBlue%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of wing pattern on a male common blue butterfly" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icKV90N-Dfo/WXOoTjKGlvI/AAAAAAAANMg/6VJt5EGpVdMMe8_yKngwJsTtW-JbfxZCwCLcBGAs/s640/Common%2BBlue%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Common blue male butterfly with wings closed" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And here is the pattern on the male, very similar but slightly lighter.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7rFRcgdEeCc/WXOoU4CKgZI/AAAAAAAANM4/XfKEH6oMD2ITHVd8GWumgp8kiJA3-S-NgCLcBGAs/s1600/Two%2BFemale%2BCommon%2BBlues%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of a pair of female common blue butterfly one with wings closed and the other open" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7rFRcgdEeCc/WXOoU4CKgZI/AAAAAAAANM4/XfKEH6oMD2ITHVd8GWumgp8kiJA3-S-NgCLcBGAs/s640/Two%2BFemale%2BCommon%2BBlues%2B.jpg" title="Two female common blue butterflies among grasses" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Two females, one with wings open, the other closed, which was very good of them.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXZNc5t3ky8/WXOoTk6pWCI/AAAAAAAANMk/VK11xuDma8EKQBE2nM6zS_DW8wudno-DgCLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BBlue%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="A male common blue butterfly rests on a green leaf with wings open" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXZNc5t3ky8/WXOoTk6pWCI/AAAAAAAANMk/VK11xuDma8EKQBE2nM6zS_DW8wudno-DgCLcBGAs/s640/Common%2BBlue%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Macro image of a beautiful male common blue butterfly" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I didn't see any of them feeding while I was there, just flapping about and resting.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yzd2SIQZovE/WXO2gxb_eUI/AAAAAAAANNQ/IGiH4-Csx80b_XX0UAL6ZXijjuqCoshWgCLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BBlue%2Bon%2Bthe%2BWing%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Butterfly flaps through the grasses in this shallow depth of field image" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yzd2SIQZovE/WXO2gxb_eUI/AAAAAAAANNQ/IGiH4-Csx80b_XX0UAL6ZXijjuqCoshWgCLcBGAs/s640/Common%2BBlue%2Bon%2Bthe%2BWing%2B.jpg" title="Male common blue butterfly on the wing at Ouse Fens" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And he's off!</span></td></tr>
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<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0Sunrise Meadow, Saint Ives PE27 4TA, UK52.335234179984269 -0.0092697143554687552.330382679984268 -0.01935471435546875 52.34008567998427 0.00081528564453125021tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-72009956767184308632017-07-19T19:02:00.002+01:002017-07-19T19:02:45.997+01:00Insects and abstracts at Ouse Fen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MqVUkqtIeJ0/WWkw5p6NqiI/AAAAAAAANFE/GLSKX5siO1EhUr_3GW5r5-4chNKBP3FYQCLcBGAs/s1600/Soldier%2BBeetle%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a soldier beetle looking over the edge of a leaf" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MqVUkqtIeJ0/WWkw5p6NqiI/AAAAAAAANFE/GLSKX5siO1EhUr_3GW5r5-4chNKBP3FYQCLcBGAs/s640/Soldier%2BBeetle%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Soldier beetle peeks over the top of a leaf" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In my continuing quest to photograph some of life’s smaller participants, namely the multitudinous variety of insects that are scampering and buzzing about this time of year, I took another trip to Ouse Fen Nature Reserve, predominantly in the hope of encountering some dragonflies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you will no doubt recognise the name Ouse Fen, as I have been on several visits, for both the wildlife and the landscape. All of which can be found <a href="https://martynferry.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/birdlife-at-ouse-fen.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://martynferry.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/colourful-insects-flowers-in-close-up.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://martynferry.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/ouse-fen-sunset-event.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://martynferry.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/an-evening-at-ouse-fen-nature-reserve.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BxfNlGCDz80/WWkw5MBeXvI/AAAAAAAANEo/mrezxz5Xt2YSWuWjClB9_J_yXlRApYjbQCLcBGAs/s1600/Reed%2BAbstract%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="long exposure image of reeds moving violently in the strong breeze" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BxfNlGCDz80/WWkw5MBeXvI/AAAAAAAANEo/mrezxz5Xt2YSWuWjClB9_J_yXlRApYjbQCLcBGAs/s640/Reed%2BAbstract%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Lakeside reeds blowing in the wind" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A long exposure of the lakeside reeds blowing in the stern breeze.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In fact I took a couple of trips over there, as although I managed to get a couple of dragonfly shots on my first attempt, it was a challenge to say the least. I had found myself a spot at the side of a large lake, among the tall, green stems, as I knew from experience that it was a popular place for the dragonfly community. But because they never settled, my only option was to try and catch them on the wing, and they do not hang about.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zVGlIHZQapI/WWkw3vfA_SI/AAAAAAAANEI/Q_2Yj05LGM8H81jTBRrjIjJfTf5x94faQCLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BBlue%2BDamselfly%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a common blue damselfly in the afternoon sun at Ouse Fen" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zVGlIHZQapI/WWkw3vfA_SI/AAAAAAAANEI/Q_2Yj05LGM8H81jTBRrjIjJfTf5x94faQCLcBGAs/s640/Common%2BBlue%2BDamselfly%2B.jpg" title="Common blue damselfly in close up" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Common blue damselfly perched in the afternoon sunshine.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dragonflies are impeccable aerialists, with extremely unpredictable flight patterns, the ability to control each of their four wings separately, they can change direction in a split second and are the fastest insects on the planet, clocking speeds up to 60mph. Unfortunately I have never been impeccable at anything, and attempting to photograph them was no exception. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7ARg_iz2J8/WWkw3j7lxCI/AAAAAAAANEQ/jVgxMme05NsG068GsrXoKFcUWAwUyhxCwCLcBGAs/s1600/Disturbance%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Water texture on a windy lake at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7ARg_iz2J8/WWkw3j7lxCI/AAAAAAAANEQ/jVgxMme05NsG068GsrXoKFcUWAwUyhxCwCLcBGAs/s640/Disturbance%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Sun shines on a rippling lake surface" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ripples on the lake surface, coloured by the warm sunlight.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I did content myself with getting some shots of the soldier beetles that were clambering over the grasses around me, as I didn’t want to come away with nothing, but I was keen to go back and see if I would have better luck with a second try.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXw3o9tdoFM/WWkw4_hFghI/AAAAAAAANEk/_zzO6vGk65oDVCwRwb3U-4__vlRic6awgCLcBGAs/s1600/Male%2BEmperor%2BDragonfly%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Wildlife image of an emperor dragonfly in flight at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXw3o9tdoFM/WWkw4_hFghI/AAAAAAAANEk/_zzO6vGk65oDVCwRwb3U-4__vlRic6awgCLcBGAs/s640/Male%2BEmperor%2BDragonfly%2B.jpg" title="Male emperor dragonfly captured in mid flight" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Male emperor dragonfly, one of Europe's largest species.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I did go back for another go, and I didn’t have any better luck. In fact I had no luck at all, as the day I visited it was blowing a rather stiff breeze, and they did not like that at all, so they kept well away from the water’s edge. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eXfF43jysbU/WWkw6HfcTJI/AAAAAAAANE8/wxuFQTVjV908YTsGWQuuSVrbACToQG_SgCLcBGAs/s1600/Soldier%2BBeetle%2B05%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a soldier beetle pre-flight at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eXfF43jysbU/WWkw6HfcTJI/AAAAAAAANE8/wxuFQTVjV908YTsGWQuuSVrbACToQG_SgCLcBGAs/s640/Soldier%2BBeetle%2B05%2B.jpg" title="Soldier beetle about to take off with wings out" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Soldier beetle unfurling its wings and about to take flight.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had made the effort to get over there so I wasn’t going to leave empty handed, so I amused myself with getting some abstract shots of the reeds blowing in the wind, and ripples on the surface of the lake. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_CuvA6GxBc/WWkw5SF2JPI/AAAAAAAANEw/ltrB_o-G1VMB920zdRi5Z4AzmK8rP07PgCLcBGAs/s1600/Reed%2BAbstract%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Long exposure and zoom blur of reeds in motion" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_CuvA6GxBc/WWkw5SF2JPI/AAAAAAAANEw/ltrB_o-G1VMB920zdRi5Z4AzmK8rP07PgCLcBGAs/s640/Reed%2BAbstract%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Abstract image of reeds at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This was a combination of a long exposure and a zoom blur, just to really make things messy.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The upside of the blustery conditions though did bring the damselflies to ground, usually they are skimming across the top of the water in their thousands, but they decided to wait out the breeze among the vegetation on the shore. So once I had settled down, it wasn’t long before there were hundreds of common blues clinging to the herbage all around me.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bm6pln-yDWk/WWkw4evslxI/AAAAAAAANEY/Bj4DvEOCMDQMdbpwzbc8GktFnNpcGJpjQCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BDamselfly%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="macro image of a female damselfly among the reeds at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bm6pln-yDWk/WWkw4evslxI/AAAAAAAANEY/Bj4DvEOCMDQMdbpwzbc8GktFnNpcGJpjQCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BDamselfly%2B.jpg" title="Female damselfly perched on some vegetation" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Female common blue damselfly, in the non-blue form, which are a lot harder to spot <br />than her more vibrant sisters.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was quite a sight, all those little electric neon batons perching at right angles on the surrounding grass stems, so I took the opportunity to get a few shots, while they were being relatively compliant, as I knew dragonflies were off the table.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yj2ucHF4_2s/WWkw4V-rvMI/AAAAAAAANEc/ZHgToRZAsIwBc4ZPLbJAsB1xL_RldbJWgCLcBGAs/s1600/Dragonfly%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Wings outstretched on a dragonfly hovering over water at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yj2ucHF4_2s/WWkw4V-rvMI/AAAAAAAANEc/ZHgToRZAsIwBc4ZPLbJAsB1xL_RldbJWgCLcBGAs/s640/Dragonfly%2B.jpg" title="Dragonfly frozen in flight looking at the camera" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not sure what type of dragonfly this is, I'm pretty sure it was yellow, but it's hard to tell from this angle.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I ended up with a rather eclectic mix of shots in the end, but I haven’t given up on those bejewled masters of flight just yet.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFI0QrWJHzg/WWkw4MROu1I/AAAAAAAANEU/F3Ief3r7BkE6mOq5gGjSPnNT78svC3IlwCLcBGAs/s1600/Disturbance%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Rippling lake waters with warm colours on the surface at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFI0QrWJHzg/WWkw4MROu1I/AAAAAAAANEU/F3Ief3r7BkE6mOq5gGjSPnNT78svC3IlwCLcBGAs/s640/Disturbance%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Abstract texture of a lake in close up" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Abstract water, and why not.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TN7cA3baGak/WWkw3voRLZI/AAAAAAAANEM/x3wyd6qCgWo3-Yi6_cTm_8VTLrO-UXL7wCLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BBlue%2BDamselfly%2Bat%2BRest%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Wildlife at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve of a common blue damselfly up close" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TN7cA3baGak/WWkw3voRLZI/AAAAAAAANEM/x3wyd6qCgWo3-Yi6_cTm_8VTLrO-UXL7wCLcBGAs/s640/Common%2BBlue%2BDamselfly%2Bat%2BRest%2B.jpg" title="Common blue damselfly resting on a dead reed" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another common blue at rest.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W3MGButFt7s/WWkw5wtuwDI/AAAAAAAANE4/vYLHYs7u4Jc0NauVIXMqiuwl9wJ5BXsPACLcBGAs/s1600/Soldier%2BBeetle%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of a soldier beetle at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W3MGButFt7s/WWkw5wtuwDI/AAAAAAAANE4/vYLHYs7u4Jc0NauVIXMqiuwl9wJ5BXsPACLcBGAs/s1600/Soldier%2BBeetle%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Soldier beetle summits an ear of grass in macro" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This soldier beetle looks like its scouting the surrounding area.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRzXPr56eb0/WWkw4kSifWI/AAAAAAAANEg/nCNhPjF29Fsu2IBzRE1d3E6vnQxPtf0TwCLcBGAs/s1600/Lake%2Bpan%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Abstract photo of a rippled lake surface at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRzXPr56eb0/WWkw4kSifWI/AAAAAAAANEg/nCNhPjF29Fsu2IBzRE1d3E6vnQxPtf0TwCLcBGAs/s640/Lake%2Bpan%2B.jpg" title="Pan blur image of a lake surface " width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Long exposure pan blur image of the lake surface.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jsk9qAm37A0/WWkw5PZLqgI/AAAAAAAANEs/jQZNFrBrhMoQHQfyF3dEPxC2dpwAjCw3QCLcBGAs/s1600/Reed%2BAbstract%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Reeds in a long exposure abstract photo at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jsk9qAm37A0/WWkw5PZLqgI/AAAAAAAANEs/jQZNFrBrhMoQHQfyF3dEPxC2dpwAjCw3QCLcBGAs/s640/Reed%2BAbstract%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Close up image of reeds moving in the wind" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Colour and movement.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_Lrtd04baI/WWkw5hVWB-I/AAAAAAAANE0/IWPziymJCpI9askPVfWbTrKMe397_rNtQCLcBGAs/s1600/Soldier%2BBeetle%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up wildlife photo of a soldier beetle at Ouse Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_Lrtd04baI/WWkw5hVWB-I/AAAAAAAANE0/IWPziymJCpI9askPVfWbTrKMe397_rNtQCLcBGAs/s1600/Soldier%2BBeetle%2B01.jpg" title="Macro image of a soldier beetle climbing a grass stem" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And a final shot of those rather photogenic little soldier beetles.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0Ouse Fen Rd or Bank, Over, Cambridge CB24 5NY, UK52.328756622863942 0.02190828323364257852.327543622863942 0.019386783233642579 52.329969622863942 0.024429783233642578tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-65400324342485800462017-07-11T21:30:00.001+01:002017-07-11T21:30:58.013+01:00Barnack Hills & Holes butterflies & flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbDF0-WcRUM/WWUMaVU_U4I/AAAAAAAANAE/sVChxp0CQJMfWug3DieF04rRNiKSpanfgCLcBGAs/s1600/Marbled%2BWhite%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Barnack Hills & Holes Nature Reserve image of a marbled white" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbDF0-WcRUM/WWUMaVU_U4I/AAAAAAAANAE/sVChxp0CQJMfWug3DieF04rRNiKSpanfgCLcBGAs/s640/Marbled%2BWhite%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Marbled white butterfly at Barnack Hills & Holes" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Continuing on with my exploration of small British wildlife, I decided to pay a visit to Barnack Hills & Holes Nature Reserve to see what diminutive creatures I could find, and because it was supposed to have quite the display of wild flowers this time of year.<br /><br />Formed from the rubble of a medieval quarry, the reserve is one of Britain’s most important wildlife sites. Encapsulating the phrase, small but perfectly formed, the site covers just 50 acres, but its meadowland is designated a Special Area of Conservation, a National Nature Reserve, a Nature Conservation Review site and last but by no means least, a Special Area of Conservation. Partly due to the fact that the orchid rich grassland is very rare, and makes up over half of this type of habitat in Cambridgeshire.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNdIiPfiZRY/WWUMZDASZVI/AAAAAAAAM_s/DqTRt8acfs8GiSIz_vbLcNP4Sa1-J3wcwCLcBGAs/s1600/Field%2BScabious%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Field scabious and wildflowers at the nature reserve of Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNdIiPfiZRY/WWUMZDASZVI/AAAAAAAAM_s/DqTRt8acfs8GiSIz_vbLcNP4Sa1-J3wcwCLcBGAs/s640/Field%2BScabious%2B.jpg" title="Wildflower image at Barnack Hills & Holes" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A field scabious and other wildflowers.</span></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Its unique hillocky landscape was created by quarrying for limestone, originally by the Romans over 1,500 years ago. Also known as Barnack Rag, it is most famously known for being used in the construction of Peterborough and Ely cathedrals in the 12th century. By the year 1500 all the useful stone had been removed, and the bare heaps of limestone gradually became covered by a rich carpet of wildflowers that can be seen today.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff3stAtTPZ0/WWUMZuMCQ8I/AAAAAAAAM_0/RzCCeKDHz24JbVkxkmCLo8uxZpgneP7mgCLcBGAs/s1600/Gatekeeper%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Photograph of a Gatekeeper butterfly at Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff3stAtTPZ0/WWUMZuMCQ8I/AAAAAAAAM_0/RzCCeKDHz24JbVkxkmCLo8uxZpgneP7mgCLcBGAs/s640/Gatekeeper%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Gatekeeper butterfly in macro image" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gatekeeper butterfly feeding.</span></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The traditional management of limestone grasslands is done with sheep and at Barnack, grazing is carried out in autumn by up to 300 of them. They remove the summer growth and build-up of leaves, stalks and grass tussocks that would otherwise die back to form a dead layer, or litter, on the ground. Without grazing, the build-up of coarse grasses and litter would rapidly choke the rarer lime-loving plants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eerfMKEMo_E/WWUMa8FULgI/AAAAAAAANAU/5F7DwFlFE30sE-0gyxmUy73Wjrsl3V8jQCLcBGAs/s1600/Marbled%2BWhite%2B05%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of butterfly on a lilac flower at Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eerfMKEMo_E/WWUMa8FULgI/AAAAAAAANAU/5F7DwFlFE30sE-0gyxmUy73Wjrsl3V8jQCLcBGAs/s640/Marbled%2BWhite%2B05%2B.jpg" title="Marbled white on a field scabious flower" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A marbled white on a field scabious. It was just about to take off when I got the picture, which is why its <br />wings are a bit of a blur.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s impossible to get a sense of this rather bizarre
landscape from my pictures, so <a href="http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/11400323.jpg" target="_blank">here’s an image</a> taken from a hot air balloon of
the reserve from above, to give you some idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6lRQ8lE6PR8/WWUMbRjSs-I/AAAAAAAANAg/rQEncP_UPGUNroImRjLDlTWSMaoSnkJ9gCLcBGAs/s1600/Pyramidal%2BBokeh%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful pink pyrmidal orchids in a shallow depth of field macro image" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6lRQ8lE6PR8/WWUMbRjSs-I/AAAAAAAANAg/rQEncP_UPGUNroImRjLDlTWSMaoSnkJ9gCLcBGAs/s640/Pyramidal%2BBokeh%2B.jpg" title="Pyramidal orchids up close at Barnack Hills & Holes" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The distinctive pyramidal orchid.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W-RvisdZHQ8/WWUMavE9ZNI/AAAAAAAANAM/XiWKsabnPxsCSzh31Yur2Z79c5Q4JbDvACLcBGAs/s1600/Marbled%2BWhite%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Ornate butterfly in macro image of a delicate purple flower at Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W-RvisdZHQ8/WWUMavE9ZNI/AAAAAAAANAM/XiWKsabnPxsCSzh31Yur2Z79c5Q4JbDvACLcBGAs/s1600/Marbled%2BWhite%2B03.jpg" title="Marbled white settles on a purple thistle flower" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Marbled white on a thistle. It's not an ideal photo because its face is not in focus, <br />but I like the clarity of the detail on its wings.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hyyb6HeVu3M/WWUMcIFFJgI/AAAAAAAANAw/_4g6CKcEWG8-nvCK7mQuwlZpNqQTD-jUQCLcBGAs/s1600/Wild%2BParsnip%2BFlowers%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Delicate yellow blooms at Barnack Hills & Holes Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hyyb6HeVu3M/WWUMcIFFJgI/AAAAAAAANAw/_4g6CKcEWG8-nvCK7mQuwlZpNqQTD-jUQCLcBGAs/s640/Wild%2BParsnip%2BFlowers%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Wild parsnip flowers with a purple background" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The sunny flowers of a wild parsnip.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PmFaa2FqG-8/WWUMZtvUxfI/AAAAAAAAM_4/cK1029gYwhEUWJpRpfZ2Q6Rq7LqxjpVtwCLcBGAs/s1600/Gatekeeper%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Orange and brown colours of a gatekeeper butterfly at Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PmFaa2FqG-8/WWUMZtvUxfI/AAAAAAAAM_4/cK1029gYwhEUWJpRpfZ2Q6Rq7LqxjpVtwCLcBGAs/s1600/Gatekeeper%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Gatekeeper butterfly up close on a small flower" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A gatekeeper spreads its wings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lvgawsDPzY/WWUMaJDSJAI/AAAAAAAANAA/M3fT7e2BuTU3jAWFBE0aR6SwjwARoJsHwCLcBGAs/s1600/Greater%2BKnapweed%2BBuds%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of greater knapweed buds at Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lvgawsDPzY/WWUMaJDSJAI/AAAAAAAANAA/M3fT7e2BuTU3jAWFBE0aR6SwjwARoJsHwCLcBGAs/s640/Greater%2BKnapweed%2BBuds%2B.jpg" title="Greater knapweed buds about to bloom up close" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Buds of the greater knapweed.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aiwJy-52AiU/WWUMZJ8BnoI/AAAAAAAAM_o/ylwJMk1VM3UMOZlSQnxEFqCs1v5qwXgzgCLcBGAs/s1600/7%2BSpot%2BLadybird%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful colours of a 7 spot ladybird on wild parsnip flowers at Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aiwJy-52AiU/WWUMZJ8BnoI/AAAAAAAAM_o/ylwJMk1VM3UMOZlSQnxEFqCs1v5qwXgzgCLcBGAs/s640/7%2BSpot%2BLadybird%2B.jpg" title="7 spot ladybird on a yellow flower in this macro image " width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A very vibrant looking 7 spot ladybird.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Z_tYRp3UqA/WWUMajX6IFI/AAAAAAAANAQ/l9SUqDs3F-c2wf9X_hOMN-31x6NW0ZCVgCLcBGAs/s1600/Marbled%2BWhite%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Wildlife photography of a marbled white butterfly at Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Z_tYRp3UqA/WWUMajX6IFI/AAAAAAAANAQ/l9SUqDs3F-c2wf9X_hOMN-31x6NW0ZCVgCLcBGAs/s640/Marbled%2BWhite%2B04%2B.jpg" title="Marbled white shows off intricate wing pattern " width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another marbled white, one of the most distinctive of British butterflies, as its the only one in black and white!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lUiGZHJqis0/WWUMb636QgI/AAAAAAAANAo/yq8iWMzdIYMEYdxLJMAzAWbhRN1-PU60QCLcBGAs/s1600/Pyramidal%2Borchid%2BCluster%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="pink blooms of pyramidal orchids in this macro shot from Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lUiGZHJqis0/WWUMb636QgI/AAAAAAAANAo/yq8iWMzdIYMEYdxLJMAzAWbhRN1-PU60QCLcBGAs/s640/Pyramidal%2Borchid%2BCluster%2B.jpg" title="Collection of pyramidal orchids up close" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A collection of pyramidal orchids.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K7yiWVTTvY0/WWUMbNHjITI/AAAAAAAANAY/m8NJRhBdthk9aPGBpcrBDFraJ9RcFqfkwCLcBGAs/s1600/Meadow%2BBrown%2Bon%2Ba%2BField%2BScabious%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful colours of a meadow brown on a lilac field scabious at Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K7yiWVTTvY0/WWUMbNHjITI/AAAAAAAANAY/m8NJRhBdthk9aPGBpcrBDFraJ9RcFqfkwCLcBGAs/s640/Meadow%2BBrown%2Bon%2Ba%2BField%2BScabious%2B.jpg" title="Barnack Hills & Holes macro image of a meadow brown butterfly" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The ubiquitous meadow brown, which seems to call everywhere its home. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tffI9XQpjfI/WWUMbI1E-VI/AAAAAAAANAc/_k4o0AMpTootx4-9--CdYp8jXujytS1vgCLcBGAs/s1600/Nursery%2BWeb%2BSpider%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="macro image of a nursery web spider at Barnack Hills & Holes Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tffI9XQpjfI/WWUMbI1E-VI/AAAAAAAANAc/_k4o0AMpTootx4-9--CdYp8jXujytS1vgCLcBGAs/s640/Nursery%2BWeb%2BSpider%2B.jpg" title="Nursery web spider sat in the undergrowth" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I spotted a small web pouch full of a baby spiders in the undergrowth, after a bit of searching I found mum, <br />the aptly named nursery web spider.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4i_90PDcOQg/WWUMb-76dBI/AAAAAAAANAs/NRsH17sdkUA4CxgZBwmDrMrozEIzDNRmQCLcBGAs/s1600/Two%2BPyramidal%2Borchids%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Two pyramidal orchids next to each other at Barnack Hills & Holes Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4i_90PDcOQg/WWUMb-76dBI/AAAAAAAANAs/NRsH17sdkUA4CxgZBwmDrMrozEIzDNRmQCLcBGAs/s640/Two%2BPyramidal%2Borchids%2B.jpg" title="Rare white pyramidal orchid at Barnack Hills & Holes" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">On the left is a white pyramidal orchid, which is incredibly rare.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-byPqPmY3fQg/WWUMaYdpvVI/AAAAAAAANAI/wX5IjO1LHaou0WrpaH3tj1RnIj151NC4QCLcBGAs/s1600/Marbled%2BWhite%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of black and white butterfly at Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-byPqPmY3fQg/WWUMaYdpvVI/AAAAAAAANAI/wX5IjO1LHaou0WrpaH3tj1RnIj151NC4QCLcBGAs/s640/Marbled%2BWhite%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Wings of a marbled white butterfly up close" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The uppersides of a marbled white.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jmiKR42ywZU/WWUMcDJLsYI/AAAAAAAANA0/fIWch6Yfmj8FKA50cGXKXzYOgzyt-h9xQCLcBGAs/s1600/Wild%2BParsnip%2BFlowers%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful wildflower colours at Barnack Hills & Holes Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jmiKR42ywZU/WWUMcDJLsYI/AAAAAAAANA0/fIWch6Yfmj8FKA50cGXKXzYOgzyt-h9xQCLcBGAs/s640/Wild%2BParsnip%2BFlowers%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Yellow flowers of wild parsnip with purple bokeh" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wild parsnips with some purple flowers for backdrop.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z11YqV3FVpo/WWUMbgGervI/AAAAAAAANAk/FAgJiblIOuwfr6gUdlkA9ubIcIn2SHxTgCLcBGAs/s1600/Pyramidal%2Borchid%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Nature photography from Barnack Hills & Holes of wildflower meadow" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z11YqV3FVpo/WWUMbgGervI/AAAAAAAANAk/FAgJiblIOuwfr6gUdlkA9ubIcIn2SHxTgCLcBGAs/s640/Pyramidal%2Borchid%2B.jpg" title="Pyramidal orchid and wildflowers in bloom" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wildflower meadow.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F0mH8fD4ljQ/WWUMaKv7OgI/AAAAAAAAM_8/DBxBWYhKWp0H-7Nj3P8OtB6tjH60jbALQCLcBGAs/s1600/Gatekeeper%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro photography at Barnack Hills & Holes of a gatekeeper butterfly" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F0mH8fD4ljQ/WWUMaKv7OgI/AAAAAAAAM_8/DBxBWYhKWp0H-7Nj3P8OtB6tjH60jbALQCLcBGAs/s640/Gatekeeper%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Gatekeeper butterfly in pink flowers at Barnack Hills & Holes" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gatekeeper, a very close relation to the meadow brown, but easily identified because of its dual white <br />spots in the wings 'eye'.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pf6gaDYpFvA/WWUMZJfJCDI/AAAAAAAAM_k/FUrulvKO5RYZyBe2z_trSisrRqSxfVj6wCLcBGAs/s1600/Crab%2BApples%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Red and green fruit of the crab apple tree in the nature reserve of Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pf6gaDYpFvA/WWUMZJfJCDI/AAAAAAAAM_k/FUrulvKO5RYZyBe2z_trSisrRqSxfVj6wCLcBGAs/s640/Crab%2BApples%2B.jpg" title="Crab apples up close on the tree at Barnack Hills & Holes" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Some crab apples on the tree.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y5mzeTeV-Ew/WWUMZh_iTgI/AAAAAAAAM_w/_dCXIPKVWjwMWRr9edyQSgoiTkRczdojACLcBGAs/s1600/Field%2BScabious%2Band%2BYellow%2BBackground%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a lilac field scabious with bokeh at Barnack Hills & Holes" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y5mzeTeV-Ew/WWUMZh_iTgI/AAAAAAAAM_w/_dCXIPKVWjwMWRr9edyQSgoiTkRczdojACLcBGAs/s640/Field%2BScabious%2Band%2BYellow%2BBackground%2B.jpg" title="Single field scabious with blurred yellow background" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And finally, a beautiful lilac field scabious.</span></td></tr>
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Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0Barnack Hills and Holes National Nature Reserve, Peterborough, Stamford PE9 3EX, UK52.6285811 -0.4122448000000531527.106546599999998 -41.720838800000053 78.1506156 40.896349199999946tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-30068335783369317012017-07-09T15:44:00.001+01:002017-07-09T16:00:51.188+01:00Holme Fen Butterflies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62UKa_Oje5U/WV6k9V1VhbI/AAAAAAAAM6o/zaA2JlVCPZcrYUNRm6ETK-cXhnwlZGxagCLcBGAs/s1600/Holme%2BFen%2BPath%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Sun dappled woodland path at Holme Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62UKa_Oje5U/WV6k9V1VhbI/AAAAAAAAM6o/zaA2JlVCPZcrYUNRm6ETK-cXhnwlZGxagCLcBGAs/s640/Holme%2BFen%2BPath%2B.jpg" title="Holme Fen pathway through the trees" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last weekend I paid a visit to one of my favourite places, namely Holme Fen Nature Reserve. This beautiful woodland oozes atmosphere, and is a beautiful place to visit any time of the year, mainly thanks to its dense forest of silver birches, which have to be one of the most charismatic of all the UK trees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I won't go into the history of the Holme Fen, as fascinating as it is, and although there are a smattering of pictures in this post of the woodland, I have taken plenty more through the various seasons, all of which can be found <a href="https://martynferry.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/holme-fen-autumn-colour-sunset-lake.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://martynferry.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/holme-fen-on-autumn-evening.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://martynferry.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/woodland-colours-at-holme-fen.html" target="_blank">here</a> & <a href="https://martynferry.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/holme-fen-in-mist.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No, I was off to get some images of the summer wildlife that abounds in this Natural England run nature reserve, in particular, the various butterflies that call this place home while they are on the wing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There were thousands of these colourful little flappers galavanting about the place, twirling around each other and flitting hither and thither above my head, and sometimes on it, if I was standing particularly still, trying to get a picture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Below are a selection of images taken that day, when the butterflies were at rest, or sipping nectar, predominantly from the blossom of blackberry bushes, of which Holme Fen boasts an impressive number.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Probably the most recognisable of all the UK butterflies, thanks to the eyes on its wings, which resemble the plumage of a peacock. This is one of the few butterfly species that hibernate, or more correctly, go dormant through the winter months as an adult, so it's not unusual to see one out and about on some of the warmer winter days. The peacock is able to make a hissing noise that is audible to human ears, by rubbing its wings together, which along with the eye spots help deter predators.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uRR3tm9c-3A/WV6k-gqtPdI/AAAAAAAAM68/HwMXX3yLy181hWrLZ-RgoqZ8PQKj7ZNXwCLcBGAs/s1600/Peacock%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a peacock butterfly in the sunshine at Holme Fen" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uRR3tm9c-3A/WV6k-gqtPdI/AAAAAAAAM68/HwMXX3yLy181hWrLZ-RgoqZ8PQKj7ZNXwCLcBGAs/s640/Peacock%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Peacock butterfly in close up at Holme Fen" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zqok72oK7-k/WV6k-lRs3-I/AAAAAAAAM7A/KY2QiNAk8UgJ52bD-ZNzD2UZVdYZAv4hACLcBGAs/s1600/Peacock%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Colourful patterns on the wings of a peacock butterfly in the sunshine" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zqok72oK7-k/WV6k-lRs3-I/AAAAAAAAM7A/KY2QiNAk8UgJ52bD-ZNzD2UZVdYZAv4hACLcBGAs/s640/Peacock%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Macro photography of a peacock butterfly" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmEg1K2Q0EQ/WV6k_4mGhPI/AAAAAAAAM7Y/_bXpWInDG3APbBiAdSOST3kcutsU-mCNgCLcBGAs/s1600/Tangle%2Bof%2BTrees%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Sun dappled silver birch trees at Holme Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmEg1K2Q0EQ/WV6k_4mGhPI/AAAAAAAAM7Y/_bXpWInDG3APbBiAdSOST3kcutsU-mCNgCLcBGAs/s640/Tangle%2Bof%2BTrees%2B.jpg" title="Holme Fen trees and woodland in the sunshine" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Red admiral</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another well known species, the majority of the these striking butterflies arrive as migrants from Central Europe and North Africa, although recently a small group has been seen to be overwintering in the far south of Britain, most probably due to temperatures warming. The population fluctuates a great deal from year to year though, depending on how many make it over. Once here however, very few adults survive the winter, so it is up the the next wave of travellers to replenish the stock.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bua7ziRG0g/WV6k_S7fjkI/AAAAAAAAM7M/qwr7fYq8HVsEjHQtp8mzdByqAQpTODlBQCLcBGAs/s1600/Red%2BAdmiral%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Red admiral butterfly with beautiful colours at Holme Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bua7ziRG0g/WV6k_S7fjkI/AAAAAAAAM7M/qwr7fYq8HVsEjHQtp8mzdByqAQpTODlBQCLcBGAs/s640/Red%2BAdmiral%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Macro image of a red admiral butterfly on a flower" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EbSBide0_s/WV6k-rW5JmI/AAAAAAAAM7E/HvLGjnNEX2ILTUpseo_pFpyd102LCIMlACLcBGAs/s1600/Red%2BAdmiral%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro photograph of a red admiral butterfly on a flower at Holme Fen" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EbSBide0_s/WV6k-rW5JmI/AAAAAAAAM7E/HvLGjnNEX2ILTUpseo_pFpyd102LCIMlACLcBGAs/s640/Red%2BAdmiral%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Red admiral butterfly sips nectar from a flower" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wTWVMn8E_7c/WV6k_Vp4z3I/AAAAAAAAM7Q/GzYyhlQ8FKMEqY2Q6fngwii_wWRoQ5lSQCLcBGAs/s1600/Red%2BAdmiral%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Colourful display of a red admiral butterfly on some flowers " border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="980" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wTWVMn8E_7c/WV6k_Vp4z3I/AAAAAAAAM7Q/GzYyhlQ8FKMEqY2Q6fngwii_wWRoQ5lSQCLcBGAs/s640/Red%2BAdmiral%2B04%2B.jpg" title="Red admiral sits on a flower at Holme Fen Nature Reserve" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SzeB6_qd190/WV6k9VoMdeI/AAAAAAAAM6k/6DIVSaKiTRUC06zsESYIDgykLOnYf7UeACLcBGAs/s1600/Five%2BTrees%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Trees lean diagonally across the image with green foliage in the background " border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SzeB6_qd190/WV6k9VoMdeI/AAAAAAAAM6k/6DIVSaKiTRUC06zsESYIDgykLOnYf7UeACLcBGAs/s640/Five%2BTrees%2B.jpg" title="Five trees at the silver birch woodland at Holme Fen" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ringlet</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A common butterfly that is actually more interesting to look at when its wings are folded, as the uppersides are a uniform brown colour. The dark colouring allows the insect to warm up very quickly, which is why it is one of the few species that can be seen on the wing, with its characteristic bobbing flight, on overcast days.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38Epp1hJmAI/WV6k_s8OhpI/AAAAAAAAM7U/bZOB4JyXdqoPnjw31r-pfzhof1039h0TACLcBGAs/s1600/Ringlet%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up of a ringlet butterfly in the nature reserve of Holme Fen" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38Epp1hJmAI/WV6k_s8OhpI/AAAAAAAAM7U/bZOB4JyXdqoPnjw31r-pfzhof1039h0TACLcBGAs/s640/Ringlet%2B.jpg" title="Ringlet butterfly sits on a leaf in this macro image" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meadow brown</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A close relative of the Ringlet, the meadow brown is one of the most common and widespread species in the UK, and given the right habitat, colonies can number in the thousands. This is another butterfly that can fly on overcast days, and even when it is spotting with rain, which would ground most other species. The meadow brown does not overwinter as an adult, so there is a new generation each year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FciCXTjKh5E/WV6k-CBNRGI/AAAAAAAAM64/H3VP7KUwsOgszTVEYkymOtrVa89E5gOJwCLcBGAs/s1600/Meadow%2BBrown%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a meadow brown butterfly in the afternoon sunshine" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FciCXTjKh5E/WV6k-CBNRGI/AAAAAAAAM64/H3VP7KUwsOgszTVEYkymOtrVa89E5gOJwCLcBGAs/s640/Meadow%2BBrown%2B.jpg" title="Meadow brown butterfly on a leaf in close up" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Male silver-washed fritillary</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is the UK's largest Fritillary, the bright orange male is a distinctive presence, with a very powerful flight. Changes is woodland management have led to a sharp decline in this once common species, it used to be widespread across England and Wales but is now only found in southern England, but there are signs it is making a comeback. They are very inquisitive, and will approach anything that is orange in colour, in case it is a potential mate. Courtship is quite spectacular: the female flies in a straight line while the male loops the loop around her, before showering her in a confetti of scent scales.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-_gePwxOV0/WV6k97J6g7I/AAAAAAAAM6w/p-wkonmUaaoOEHRHW_nBdLAwoQO_y-o_wCLcBGAs/s1600/Male%2BSilver-washed%2BFritillary%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a Male Silver-washed fritillary on a flower in the sunshine" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-_gePwxOV0/WV6k97J6g7I/AAAAAAAAM6w/p-wkonmUaaoOEHRHW_nBdLAwoQO_y-o_wCLcBGAs/s640/Male%2BSilver-washed%2BFritillary%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Male Silver-washed fritillary in close up" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mwDa_MNCb44/WV6k9qFWRZI/AAAAAAAAM6s/ALW8VyAiGngSeilQpxFAJnrRNwdhO5G2QCLcBGAs/s1600/Male%2BSilver-washed%2BFritillaries%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of two Male Silver-washed fritillaries at Holme Fen" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mwDa_MNCb44/WV6k9qFWRZI/AAAAAAAAM6s/ALW8VyAiGngSeilQpxFAJnrRNwdhO5G2QCLcBGAs/s640/Male%2BSilver-washed%2BFritillaries%2B.jpg" title="Two Male Silver-washed fritillaries on a leaf" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HdF8N-CqcM/WV6k96qP_yI/AAAAAAAAM60/f3JG8g1XbeIcnkbC80nKIAPQIevcZ4UkgCLcBGAs/s1600/Male%2BSilver-washed%2BFritillary%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro photograph of a Male Silver-washed fritillary in the nature reserve of Holme Fen" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HdF8N-CqcM/WV6k96qP_yI/AAAAAAAAM60/f3JG8g1XbeIcnkbC80nKIAPQIevcZ4UkgCLcBGAs/s640/Male%2BSilver-washed%2BFritillary%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Male Silver-washed fritillary sips nectar from a flower" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrzRgzr2R2o/WV6k8n_OfpI/AAAAAAAAM6c/MOmUqK52MZw3TZaX0YUFQgeFmM6pa67KQCLcBGAs/s1600/Fern%2BFloor%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Sea of ferns at the Natural England Holme Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrzRgzr2R2o/WV6k8n_OfpI/AAAAAAAAM6c/MOmUqK52MZw3TZaX0YUFQgeFmM6pa67KQCLcBGAs/s640/Fern%2BFloor%2B.jpg" title="Green ferns carpet the woodland floor at Holme Fen" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Female silver-washed fritillary - valesina</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Females generally have a similar pattern of black spots. They are normally a dull golden colour, often with a slight bronzy tinge. But in a small percentage of females, (less than 10%) primarily in the larger colonies in southern England, they show the form <i>valesina</i>, where the orange is replaced with a green/brown hue, as you can see below, these females also have some blue pigmentation. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eDNeI6HNOQ/WV6k7wDr-HI/AAAAAAAAM6g/K1LYXQOQS4kU9lXiH_CGWc5Bmv4k7qAswCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BSilver-washed%2BFritillarie%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a female silver-washed fritillary valesina at Holme Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eDNeI6HNOQ/WV6k7wDr-HI/AAAAAAAAM6g/K1LYXQOQS4kU9lXiH_CGWc5Bmv4k7qAswCLcBGAs/s640/Female%2BSilver-washed%2BFritillarie%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Female silver-washed fritillary valesina in close up" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I-GH6ylkyao/WV6k744xOSI/AAAAAAAAM6Q/1IzEDNNu71UVOTRgudxTqcY0O8Q6_wePACLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BSilver-washed%2BFritillarie%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a female Silver-washed fritillary valesina in the nature reserve of Holme Fen" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I-GH6ylkyao/WV6k744xOSI/AAAAAAAAM6Q/1IzEDNNu71UVOTRgudxTqcY0O8Q6_wePACLcBGAs/s640/Female%2BSilver-washed%2BFritillarie%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Female Silver-washed fritillary valesina sips nectar from a flower" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ct5SaEj3S84/WV6k8kpbjlI/AAAAAAAAM6Y/1mtYm1EqjX0ab1i_K43nyKjPJtO2pJdMQCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BSilver-washed%2BFritillarie%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful colours on a female Silver-washed fritillary valesina sat on a flower" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ct5SaEj3S84/WV6k8kpbjlI/AAAAAAAAM6Y/1mtYm1EqjX0ab1i_K43nyKjPJtO2pJdMQCLcBGAs/s640/Female%2BSilver-washed%2BFritillarie%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Macro photography of a female Silver-washed fritillary valesina" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7-L9VEqpsc/WV6k71iQaeI/AAAAAAAAM6U/A-NdZqKZHTQyP4_ufSXGLC02eMsoLH46gCLcBGAs/s1600/Dead%2BTree%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="A fallen tree in the dense woodland of Holme Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7-L9VEqpsc/WV6k71iQaeI/AAAAAAAAM6U/A-NdZqKZHTQyP4_ufSXGLC02eMsoLH46gCLcBGAs/s640/Dead%2BTree%2B.jpg" title="Dead tree lies among the green foliage at Holme Fen" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0Hod Fen Drove, Peterborough PE7 3NB, UK52.491769893960829 -0.2344894409179687552.472440393960831 -0.27482994091796875 52.511099393960826 -0.19414894091796875tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-70483903647266223122017-07-05T21:34:00.000+01:002017-07-05T21:34:55.082+01:00Fen Drayton nature reserve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5cN7qBcxmR8/WVv2nshmBpI/AAAAAAAAM1E/u-XymEyo9YAy1UP1lCVkGgYT4nSBmPCbACLcBGAs/s1600/River%2BView%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="The River Great Ouse at Fen Drayton nature reserve with beautiful reflections" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5cN7qBcxmR8/WVv2nshmBpI/AAAAAAAAM1E/u-XymEyo9YAy1UP1lCVkGgYT4nSBmPCbACLcBGAs/s640/River%2BView%2B.jpg" title="Fen Drayton nature reserve reflections" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Over the weekend I took a trip to Fen Drayton, to visit the RSPB run nature reserve that can be found there. I was still on a hunt for wildlife and I thought I might find some suitable natural nuggets within its environs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There wasn’t as much birdlife as I thought there might be, but I made up for it with some shots along the River Great Ouse, which runs through the reserve, and from rummaging through the undergrowth on the hunt for smaller quarry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The reserve, a 108-hectare area comprised of several lakes formed from exhausted sand and gravel pits, is home to around 190 bird species, many of whom must have been in hiding when I visited. In times of heavy rain and river flooding, the entire reserve goes under water, including car parks and most rights of way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is planned that the reserve will become part of a much larger wetland area along the River Great Ouse, linking to the Hanson-RSPB Wetland Project at Ouse Fen, which should become Britain's largest reedbed within the next 30 years. In fact it was at Ouse Fen that the images from my last two blog posts were taken. <a href="https://martynferry.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/colourful-insects-flowers-in-close-up.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here</a> and <a href="https://martynferry.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/birdlife-at-ouse-fen.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r1SKKaWrGlE/WVv2nxPsZWI/AAAAAAAAM1M/SHqctwL45eEKziDP-Qbj4Ue4DZ4UYXrtQCLcBGAs/s1600/Small%2BBrown%2BSnail%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up of a brown snail climbing over lush vegetation at Fen Drayton" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r1SKKaWrGlE/WVv2nxPsZWI/AAAAAAAAM1M/SHqctwL45eEKziDP-Qbj4Ue4DZ4UYXrtQCLcBGAs/s640/Small%2BBrown%2BSnail%2B.jpg" title="Macro image of a tiny snail on a leaf" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I spotted this little fellow below me as I walked past, and spent the next 20 minutes in various ridiculous, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">hunchback poses trying to get a close up shot of him. I'm glad I did though, as I think this was my favourite </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">shot </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">of the day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RnCoFNd-cmM/WVv2ncuD3RI/AAAAAAAAM1A/W75pE76nUxU2q_ok1BiWkFk7rj6Ry-9RQCLcBGAs/s1600/River%2BReflection%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Fen Drayton nature reserve looking verdant on a summers day" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RnCoFNd-cmM/WVv2ncuD3RI/AAAAAAAAM1A/W75pE76nUxU2q_ok1BiWkFk7rj6Ry-9RQCLcBGAs/s640/River%2BReflection%2B.jpg" title="Trees reflect in the River Ouse at Fen Drayton" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Some lush vegetation along the River Ouse.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGB6pkwTPMc/WVv2nFbWvZI/AAAAAAAAM04/WTh-W7b-Jz4G4qLgiq771A_uZKIoLo5aQCLcBGAs/s1600/Green%2BVeined%2BWhites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Two green veined white butterflies mate in this macro image taken at Fen Drayton" border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="980" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGB6pkwTPMc/WVv2nFbWvZI/AAAAAAAAM04/WTh-W7b-Jz4G4qLgiq771A_uZKIoLo5aQCLcBGAs/s640/Green%2BVeined%2BWhites.jpg" title="Green veined white butterflies up close at Fen Drayton" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A pair of Green Veined Whites continuing the family name.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QwBBfYNMiE/WVv2nSZs8EI/AAAAAAAAM08/mJdceBRRKBkRVBIYwvYhGpKCdETmbjYowCLcBGAs/s1600/Reed%2BReflection%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="River Ouse mirrors the lush vegetation at Fen Drayton nature reserve" border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="980" height="334" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QwBBfYNMiE/WVv2nSZs8EI/AAAAAAAAM08/mJdceBRRKBkRVBIYwvYhGpKCdETmbjYowCLcBGAs/s640/Reed%2BReflection%2B.jpg" title="Reflections in the calm surface of the River Great Ouse" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The river runs such a lazy course this time of year, the surface is almost mirror like. I had to grab this shot </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">as quick as possible before a couple of canoes sliced through the water and ruined the reflection.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTPXOL_yPJc/WVv2oG59LpI/AAAAAAAAM1Q/aNofGbdARksOJAJ147sfTcCSBFHuJYPqACLcBGAs/s1600/Small%2BBrown%2BSnail%2BLeaving%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Macro image of a tiny snail on a leaf in a nature rerserve at Fen Drayton" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTPXOL_yPJc/WVv2oG59LpI/AAAAAAAAM1Q/aNofGbdARksOJAJ147sfTcCSBFHuJYPqACLcBGAs/s640/Small%2BBrown%2BSnail%2BLeaving%2B.jpg" title="Brown snail travels across a leaf at Fen Drayton" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another one of my intrepid little friend as he heads off to pastures new. Looks like he's been involved in bit </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">of </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">agro by the state of his shell.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtObXs65Ddg/WVv2ofOUKiI/AAAAAAAAM1U/fcBKRZakzAwQDEbXhu2BRhwq8hOTeExDACLcBGAs/s1600/Two%2BDucks%2B%2526%2Ba%2BTree%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="River Great Ouse at Fen Drayton nature reserve reflects wildlife and vegetation" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtObXs65Ddg/WVv2ofOUKiI/AAAAAAAAM1U/fcBKRZakzAwQDEbXhu2BRhwq8hOTeExDACLcBGAs/s640/Two%2BDucks%2B%2526%2Ba%2BTree%2B.jpg" title="Fen Drayton reflection of a tree and two ducks" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A couple of ducks and an old tree stand sentinel by the waters edge.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fA2EEzyNu0w/WVv2mr0U8tI/AAAAAAAAM0s/s9g48JGm9R8oTt6pYFl_GZ7VEYuKpIOjQCLcBGAs/s1600/Blue%2BBeige%2BSnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Snail slithers of a green leaf in the undergrowth at Fen Drayton" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fA2EEzyNu0w/WVv2mr0U8tI/AAAAAAAAM0s/s9g48JGm9R8oTt6pYFl_GZ7VEYuKpIOjQCLcBGAs/s640/Blue%2BBeige%2BSnail.jpg" title="Grey and blue snail up close in this macro shot" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another little snail, this time with a blue/grey shell.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1jjRVCr2cVo/WVv2n43jOeI/AAAAAAAAM1I/seTbNOIHrHEcYQqBF9jvODc2PJ7cNGvgQCLcBGAs/s1600/Rivers%2BEdge%2BAsh%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Fen Drayton reflection of a large ash tree in this nature image in the Fens" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1jjRVCr2cVo/WVv2n43jOeI/AAAAAAAAM1I/seTbNOIHrHEcYQqBF9jvODc2PJ7cNGvgQCLcBGAs/s640/Rivers%2BEdge%2BAsh%2B.jpg" title="Ash tree reflected in the River Ouse at Fen Drayton" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">An old ash tree next to the waters edge.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r83GL0SMCmw/WVv2mpzgp2I/AAAAAAAAM00/7nDiwufFAP0RBtYBUMKYNvZr1UWda3hogCLcBGAs/s1600/Closed%2BRed%2BAdmiral%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up photograph of a red admiral on a wooden sign at Fen Drayton" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r83GL0SMCmw/WVv2mpzgp2I/AAAAAAAAM00/7nDiwufFAP0RBtYBUMKYNvZr1UWda3hogCLcBGAs/s1600/Closed%2BRed%2BAdmiral%2B.jpg" title="Red admiral butterfly with its wings closed in a macro image" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This beautiful peacock butterfly was sat outside a bird hide, so I thought I would get a picture, as soon as I raised my camera, the wings closed. I must have been stood there for about 10-15 minutes waiting for them to open up again. They never did. Little sod.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0D1feiU66k/WVv2miACuJI/AAAAAAAAM0w/0E9ucGw0NFcDf6UHj2BIeEwkyHN9L6nLACLcBGAs/s1600/Fallen%2BTree%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Ash tree surrounded by undergrowth in this nature image from Fen Drayton nature reserve" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0D1feiU66k/WVv2miACuJI/AAAAAAAAM0w/0E9ucGw0NFcDf6UHj2BIeEwkyHN9L6nLACLcBGAs/s640/Fallen%2BTree%2B.jpg" title="Atmospheric image of a fallen ash tree at Fen Drayton" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A partially fallen ash tree amongst the undergrowth.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0Busway NCN51, Cambridge CB24 4SR, UK52.308688534112925 -0.0367355346679687552.298979534112924 -0.05690553466796875 52.318397534112925 -0.01656553466796875tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-69877300887263777352017-07-02T19:54:00.001+01:002017-07-02T19:54:10.943+01:00Birdlife at Ouse Fen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3MwDUNHOK18/WVa05_6XsoI/AAAAAAAAMpo/ILm0rAofQEgdI8CX3nsYWyaBT_1DfW-KwCLcBGAs/s1600/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B01%2B.jpg"><img alt="Black-headed gull flies in front of stormy clouds at Ouse Fen RSPB" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3MwDUNHOK18/WVa05_6XsoI/AAAAAAAAMpo/ILm0rAofQEgdI8CX3nsYWyaBT_1DfW-KwCLcBGAs/s640/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Black-headed gull in flight" /></a><br /><br /> Following on from my last blog post where I expressed my disgruntlement at not being able to photograph the myriad birdlife at Ouse Fen RSPB nature reserve. Mainly thanks to the lack of telescopic prowess of my lenses, and where, to my shame, I told the birds to go shove it, for which I wholeheartedly apologise, I decided to give it another go. <br /><br /> My lenses had not suddenly acquired new found abilities you understand, but I was ready to do something I have always tried to shy away from if at all possible. I was prepared to crop my pictures, and boy did I have to crop them. I've always been of the mind that if the composition cannot be found while actually taking the photo, then to leave it be. <br /><br /> But needs as must, and I snapped away with blithesome abandonment, ready to hack away at the images when back in front of my computer, which is exactly what I did. So below are a selection of pictures from that reckless afternoon with the birds, along with a brief description of each one appropriated from the <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/">RSPB</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Black-headed gull</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Conservation status: Amber</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not really a black-headed bird, more chocolate-brown - in fact, for much of the year, it has a white head. It is most definitely not a 'seagull' and is found commonly almost anywhere inland. Black-headed gulls are sociable, quarrelsome, noisy birds, usually seen in small groups or flocks, often gathering into larger parties </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">where there is plenty of food, or when they are roosting.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uKnrQzBnHq8/WVa06H8oGSI/AAAAAAAAMp0/XZ-8WmHY7zsqnYyVDAV9R2WSg3GW2Lx4wCLcBGAs/s1600/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B04%2B.jpg"><img alt="Flying Black-headed gull at RSPB Ouse Fen nature reserve" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uKnrQzBnHq8/WVa06H8oGSI/AAAAAAAAMp0/XZ-8WmHY7zsqnYyVDAV9R2WSg3GW2Lx4wCLcBGAs/s640/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B04%2B.jpg" title="Black-headed gull with wings outstretched soars above" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Wildlife shot of a Black-headed gull flying past white skies at Ouse Fen" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vbYAA0hdl0I/WVa06DFW0KI/AAAAAAAAMpw/uEMkc6FLrksU5EipRX9kGD6ZB9K2Z18mwCLcBGAs/s640/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B03.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Black-headed gull flaps wings in flight" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I know this looks a bit weird, but it was flying in front of some flat, white clouds, same goes for the tufted <br style="text-align: start;" /><span style="text-align: start;">duck image further down the page. Don't judge me. </span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K54NOmQi0ZA/WVa05phWKMI/AAAAAAAAMpk/pyAkNT4vVvgNC-iZ7_ho6jzzXJPOn7FpgCLcBGAs/s1600/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B02%2B.jpg"><img alt="Black-headed gull flies away from the camera towards stormy skies" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K54NOmQi0ZA/WVa05phWKMI/AAAAAAAAMpk/pyAkNT4vVvgNC-iZ7_ho6jzzXJPOn7FpgCLcBGAs/s640/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Sun glints off the feathers of a Black-headed gull" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72ciIKu_kiU/WVa06bMrguI/AAAAAAAAMp4/zP9AYv246DEbFyp574TPuoUq1mja9YD6gCLcBGAs/s1600/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B05%2B.jpg"><img alt="RSPB Ouse Fen nature reserve shot of a Black-headed gull" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72ciIKu_kiU/WVa06bMrguI/AAAAAAAAMp4/zP9AYv246DEbFyp574TPuoUq1mja9YD6gCLcBGAs/s640/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B05%2B.jpg" title="Black-headed gull with beak open and wings outstretched" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mVykl2csRg8/WVa06thYKqI/AAAAAAAAMp8/CMvUYcRE05Ukfekok7jjRrOC1ArdiYHxwCLcBGAs/s1600/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B06%2B.jpg"><img alt="Flying towards the camera this Black-headed gull is in full flight" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mVykl2csRg8/WVa06thYKqI/AAAAAAAAMp8/CMvUYcRE05Ukfekok7jjRrOC1ArdiYHxwCLcBGAs/s640/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B06%2B.jpg" title="Wings in a v-shape as a Black-headed gull flies" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Common Tern</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Conservation status: Amber</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These silvery-grey and white birds have long tails which have earned them the nickname 'sea-swallow'. They have a buoyant, graceful flight and frequently hover over water before plunging down for a fish. They are often noisy in company and breed in colonies.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DAO-R4zfVf8/WVa06pLMC0I/AAAAAAAAMqA/Ql52tUa4oJw52QFyfS5VmlD3g7b_uG-mwCLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BTern%2B01%2B.jpg"><img alt="Common tern in flight at Ouse Fen RSPB reserve" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DAO-R4zfVf8/WVa06pLMC0I/AAAAAAAAMqA/Ql52tUa4oJw52QFyfS5VmlD3g7b_uG-mwCLcBGAs/s640/Common%2BTern%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Common tern darts across a stormy sky" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFDx7f3KU0Q/WVa06g_7caI/AAAAAAAAMqE/thBcvn0e5YEaluyThYnuasOVF1MZKqcagCLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BTern%2B02%2B.jpg"><img alt="Bird photography of a Common tern in flight" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFDx7f3KU0Q/WVa06g_7caI/AAAAAAAAMqE/thBcvn0e5YEaluyThYnuasOVF1MZKqcagCLcBGAs/s640/Common%2BTern%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Common tern banks in flight with wings outstretched" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAPsxAtj8L0/WVa07GyDImI/AAAAAAAAMqI/2InAh0PAqfsu7BU_PCzK_-f_N4Lwhc48ACLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BTern%2B03%2B.jpg"><img alt="Swooping down to the water a Common tern dives for fish" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAPsxAtj8L0/WVa07GyDImI/AAAAAAAAMqI/2InAh0PAqfsu7BU_PCzK_-f_N4Lwhc48ACLcBGAs/s640/Common%2BTern%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Common tern dives towards the water" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Common tern fishing in flight at Ouse Fen RSPB nature reserve" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTDpH9R4oLc/WVa07JaazJI/AAAAAAAAMqM/dCWc59i5Lfga0prKxBWA87LQVg4j2XtegCLcBGAs/s640/Common%2BTern%2B04%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="A Common tern dips its head to the water in flight while fishing" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Doing a spot of fishing.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tufted Duck</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Conservation status: Green</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The tufted duck is a medium-sized diving duck, smaller than a mallard. It is black on the head, neck, breast and back and white on the sides. It has a small crest and a yellow eye. In flight it shows an obvious white stripe across the back of the wing. It breeds in the UK across lowland areas of England, Scotland and Ireland, but less commonly in Wales, with most birds being residents. Numbers increase in the UK in winter because of birds moving to the UK from Iceland and northern Europe.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yoyRwUWrm_8/WVa051_aNqI/AAAAAAAAMps/xV8P4ITCG-8X3oZYhz2ylgNHfQ5q4K-bQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Black%2BDuck.jpg"><img alt="Wings flap in flight of a Tufted duck at Ouse Fen RSPB reserve" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yoyRwUWrm_8/WVa051_aNqI/AAAAAAAAMps/xV8P4ITCG-8X3oZYhz2ylgNHfQ5q4K-bQCEwYBhgL/s640/Black%2BDuck.jpg" title="Tufted duck flies in front of a white cloud" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Reed bunting</span><br /><br /> Conservation status: Amber<br /><br />Sparrow-sized but slim and with a long, deeply notched tail, the male has a black head, white collar and a drooping moustache. Females and winter males have a streaked head. In flight the tail looks black with broad, white edges.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trYtvRIAVdk/WVa1MHtMcMI/AAAAAAAAMqc/cDpdvFtXrtY2O22957SVinwHM_775pbzQCLcBGAs/s1600/Male%2BReed%2BBunting%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="With a freshly caught insect a male reed bunting looks around while perched on a reed" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trYtvRIAVdk/WVa1MHtMcMI/AAAAAAAAMqc/cDpdvFtXrtY2O22957SVinwHM_775pbzQCLcBGAs/s640/Male%2BReed%2BBunting%2B.jpg" title="Male reed bunting perches on a reed with an insect" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Male Reed bunting with an insect for lunch. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vFSe-Eqh500/WVa07raZ_mI/AAAAAAAAMqU/-lxvUd54ovE7VJTD6dcXRCcu8VLj6g9WwCLcBGAs/s1600/Female%2BReed%2BBunting%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Perched on a grass stalk this female reed bunting looks around for food" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vFSe-Eqh500/WVa07raZ_mI/AAAAAAAAMqU/-lxvUd54ovE7VJTD6dcXRCcu8VLj6g9WwCLcBGAs/s640/Female%2BReed%2BBunting%2B.jpg" title="Female reed bunting sits on some grasses at Ouse Fen" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Female Reed bunting </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Great crested grebe</span><br /><br /> Conservation status: Green<br /><br />A delightfully elegant waterbird with ornate head plumes which led to its being hunted for its feathers, almost leading to its extermination from the UK. They dive to feed and also to escape, preferring this to flying. On land they are clumsy because their feet are placed so far back on their bodies. They have an elaborate courtship display in which they rise out of the water and shake their heads. Very young grebes often ride on their parents' backs.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f4pLq81nSpY/WVa078O1NNI/AAAAAAAAMqY/F-hmfKLvxogMEZFbwyKIGoL4El-2fDXpACEwYBhgL/s1600/Great%2BCrested%2BGrebe%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A swimming great crested grebe at the RSPB nature reserve at Ouse Fen" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f4pLq81nSpY/WVa078O1NNI/AAAAAAAAMqY/F-hmfKLvxogMEZFbwyKIGoL4El-2fDXpACEwYBhgL/s640/Great%2BCrested%2BGrebe%2B.jpg" title="Great crested grebe floats on a lake at Ouse Fen" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I didn't capture any of their extraordinary behaviour, and only ended up with this distinctly shoddy picture. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Cormorant</span><br /><br /> Conservation status: Green<br /><br />A large and conspicuous waterbird, the cormorant has an almost primitive appearance with its long neck making it appear almost reptilian. It is often seen standing with its wings held out to dry. Regarded by some as black, sinister and greedy, cormorants are supreme fishers which can bring them into conflict with anglers and they have been persecuted in the past. The UK holds internationally important wintering numbers.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUwgTmXx5t8/WVa07ekz5hI/AAAAAAAAMqQ/PRPhR0dIyFcPs9NVW0a7QwZ-0onRgECPwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Cormorants%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cormorants look around on a small island in Ouse Fen nature reserve" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUwgTmXx5t8/WVa07ekz5hI/AAAAAAAAMqQ/PRPhR0dIyFcPs9NVW0a7QwZ-0onRgECPwCEwYBhgL/s640/Cormorants%2B.jpg" title="A group of cormorants stand on a sand bank" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Again, a very poor image, I just couldn't get close enough. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />So a bit of a mixed bag in the end, but better than nothing, and for the shots that didn't work out, I blame the birds.</span></div>
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Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com01 Station Rd, Bluntisham, Huntingdon PE28 3PA, UK52.341632130957883 0.0037765502929687552.331930630957885 -0.01639344970703125 52.351333630957882 0.02394655029296875tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-51071235539292182382017-06-28T21:03:00.001+01:002017-06-28T21:17:16.441+01:00Colourful insects & flowers in close up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GSTNDk53Pas/WVP2j9N6pjI/AAAAAAAAMkE/cNA5g07lyj0ih10wNxk-lzPASk6He-O5ACLcBGAs/s1600/Meadow%2BBrown%2BButterfly%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up photography of a meadow brown butterfly at Ouse Fen nature reserve" border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="980" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GSTNDk53Pas/WVP2j9N6pjI/AAAAAAAAMkE/cNA5g07lyj0ih10wNxk-lzPASk6He-O5ACLcBGAs/s640/Meadow%2BBrown%2BButterfly%2B04%2B.jpg" title="meadow brown butterfly on yellow flowers" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A couple of days ago I took a trip to Ouse Fen, an RSPB run nature reserve, in the hope of getting some shots of the abundant bird life that takes up residence there this time of year. It is home to a multitude of geese, ducks, swans, gulls, coots, terns, grebes and cormorants, along with a few herons. Some of which have travelled for thousands of miles to breed on its lakeland islands.<br /><br />Unfortunately, even though it’s easy enough to get pretty close to the colonies, I just didn’t have the capabilities with the lenses I own, to really get close enough for any meaningful images. So after endless whirling around, trying to follow the birds as they flew overhead, and attempting to catch the terns as they speared into the water on the hunt for fish, I decided that I was wasting my time, and the birds could go shove it</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Instead I concentrated on the local insect life, as there were a plentitude of wild flowers about, which were attracting an abundance of butterflies and other arthropods, so I aimed my camera at the ground instead and got a few shots of these colourful citizens of the shrubbery…</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ViBAqXbq-nw/WVP2mGpNDbI/AAAAAAAAMkU/48XdMYw7BMoT9Bnh7Cdoh83QV5mEowAWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Small%2BTortoiseshell%2BButterfly%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Nature reserve image of a Small tortoiseshell butterfly" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ViBAqXbq-nw/WVP2mGpNDbI/AAAAAAAAMkU/48XdMYw7BMoT9Bnh7Cdoh83QV5mEowAWQCLcBGAs/s640/Small%2BTortoiseshell%2BButterfly%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Small tortoiseshell butterfly in close up " width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A small tortoiseshell butterfly stands out against the sunny flowers.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xdiw3uQ6T_o/WVP2i98QKJI/AAAAAAAAMjo/sjt7_h_FH5sGFyap4zdIbD3uC9qpUEYuwCLcBGAs/s1600/Damselfly%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Ouse Fen nature reserve damselfly in close up" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xdiw3uQ6T_o/WVP2i98QKJI/AAAAAAAAMjo/sjt7_h_FH5sGFyap4zdIbD3uC9qpUEYuwCLcBGAs/s640/Damselfly%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Blue damselfly clinging to some grass" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A common blue damselfly clings to some grass.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--b5XGzOMznU/WVP2ipXEtOI/AAAAAAAAMjg/0JanIMSOk0cokNbgdz46bFqqiVtpSbOIgCLcBGAs/s1600/Caterpillars%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of black and yellow cinnabar moth caterpillars" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--b5XGzOMznU/WVP2ipXEtOI/AAAAAAAAMjg/0JanIMSOk0cokNbgdz46bFqqiVtpSbOIgCLcBGAs/s640/Caterpillars%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Cinnabar moth caterpillars on a plant" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A group of cinnabar moth caterpillars having some lunch. The hairy spines are venomous and can cause quite <br />the rash.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GL98UHKGvD8/WVP2iMXn5-I/AAAAAAAAMjU/Bpa1h74UoXEjIZzOZgxN8kJSm_a5WxKuQCLcBGAs/s1600/Bumblebee%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="A bumblebee crawls over bright yellow flowers in this close up image" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GL98UHKGvD8/WVP2iMXn5-I/AAAAAAAAMjU/Bpa1h74UoXEjIZzOZgxN8kJSm_a5WxKuQCLcBGAs/s640/Bumblebee%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Bumblebee collection pollen from yellow flowers" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Possibly a buff tailed bumblebee, but I'm not entirely sure about that.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BOjDjb5giAU/WVP2jffm0PI/AAAAAAAAMj0/T-J5hDjDvgQdRoIPMBv_VEuQHPh8l7lvwCLcBGAs/s1600/Meadow%2BBrown%2BButterflies%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Cloe up image of meadow brown butterflies collecting nectar from flowers" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BOjDjb5giAU/WVP2jffm0PI/AAAAAAAAMj0/T-J5hDjDvgQdRoIPMBv_VEuQHPh8l7lvwCLcBGAs/s640/Meadow%2BBrown%2BButterflies%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Five meadow brown butterflies on sunny yellow flowers" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A collection of meadow brown butterflies supping on nectar.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3SFayQj8d7Y/WVP2kbgyr7I/AAAAAAAAMkM/g8_U5n0aZtkAwQ6vIFKr8yAsR7pPVDn9QCLcBGAs/s1600/Meadow%2BBrown%2BButterfly%2B05%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Image from a wild flower path with a Ringlet butterfly drinking nectar" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3SFayQj8d7Y/WVP2kbgyr7I/AAAAAAAAMkM/g8_U5n0aZtkAwQ6vIFKr8yAsR7pPVDn9QCLcBGAs/s640/Meadow%2BBrown%2BButterfly%2B05%2B.jpg" title="Ringlet butterfly feeds from bright yellow flowers" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A ringlet butterfly.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nt0EBzjTrOE/WVP2jLAVyQI/AAAAAAAAMjs/fP26ewwEceQhGwGbRnRZq63HSZ_xUlXuQCLcBGAs/s1600/Damselfly%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Image of an common blue damselfly with yellow flowers above" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nt0EBzjTrOE/WVP2jLAVyQI/AAAAAAAAMjs/fP26ewwEceQhGwGbRnRZq63HSZ_xUlXuQCLcBGAs/s1600/Damselfly%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Common blue damselfly lifts it's tail in close up" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Common blue damselfly raises its tail.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2WpAP9es4I/WVP2iBrcQdI/AAAAAAAAMjY/tY1YVm9wuS80BJKzy1Lqo_m1Dx1yUmgzQCLcBGAs/s1600/Bumblebee%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Bright yellow flowers with bumblebee in a close up image" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2WpAP9es4I/WVP2iBrcQdI/AAAAAAAAMjY/tY1YVm9wuS80BJKzy1Lqo_m1Dx1yUmgzQCLcBGAs/s1600/Bumblebee%2B01.jpg" title="Bumblebee climbs up a row of flowers to collect nectar" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bumblebee on an expedition to find nectar.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMOc08cqQeg/WVP2l2rCYwI/AAAAAAAAMkQ/rAIA0J7HhfYvPH7NfmRJNIvRxHAYh53bgCLcBGAs/s1600/Small%2BTortoiseshell%2BButterfly%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of a beautiful Small tortoiseshell butterfly on yellow flowers" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMOc08cqQeg/WVP2l2rCYwI/AAAAAAAAMkQ/rAIA0J7HhfYvPH7NfmRJNIvRxHAYh53bgCLcBGAs/s640/Small%2BTortoiseshell%2BButterfly%2B01.jpg" title="Small tortoiseshell butterfly rests on a group of flowers" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another shot of a small tortoiseshell butterfly showing off its splendour.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJhJwozK7_4/WVP2ig1OVTI/AAAAAAAAMjc/pUvMCySFWL4BNWMnpgWy5bN6cs3DOVaIQCLcBGAs/s1600/Caterpillars%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful image of Cinnabar moth caterpillars on a plant with shallow depth of field" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJhJwozK7_4/WVP2ig1OVTI/AAAAAAAAMjc/pUvMCySFWL4BNWMnpgWy5bN6cs3DOVaIQCLcBGAs/s640/Caterpillars%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Several Cinnabar moth caterpillars eating a plant" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cinnabar moth caterpillars doing what they do.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iJ-Vt88vqro/WVP2j1Iw4UI/AAAAAAAAMj8/ith9D5IPUbkfgrMN26rP0knSNQaul3xNwCLcBGAs/s1600/Meadow%2BBrown%2BButterfly%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Spring close up of a meadow brown butterfly among wildflowers" border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="980" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iJ-Vt88vqro/WVP2j1Iw4UI/AAAAAAAAMj8/ith9D5IPUbkfgrMN26rP0knSNQaul3xNwCLcBGAs/s640/Meadow%2BBrown%2BButterfly%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Side view of a meadow brown butterfly feeding" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another meadow brown at repast.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--31xdV8LiO8/WVP2kVihmWI/AAAAAAAAMkI/8NV1qM66siQM3r1vtgHmt51Ryo7potKFACLcBGAs/s1600/Ringlet%2BButterfly%2B%2526%2BSoldier%2BBeetles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Yellow flowers with a Ringlet butterfly and two red soldier beetles" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--31xdV8LiO8/WVP2kVihmWI/AAAAAAAAMkI/8NV1qM66siQM3r1vtgHmt51Ryo7potKFACLcBGAs/s640/Ringlet%2BButterfly%2B%2526%2BSoldier%2BBeetles.jpg" title="Ringlet butterfly sipping nectar with soldier beetles" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ringlet butterfly with a couple of soldier beetles scampering about the ragwort flowers.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p5gC7Woq4z0/WVP2itgRsVI/AAAAAAAAMjk/JQPz0rzpzs8RUkQ4Nfpg7jvliTvVAlmSACLcBGAs/s1600/Damselfly%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Bright blue damselfly rests on some blades of grass" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p5gC7Woq4z0/WVP2itgRsVI/AAAAAAAAMjk/JQPz0rzpzs8RUkQ4Nfpg7jvliTvVAlmSACLcBGAs/s640/Damselfly%2B01%2B.jpg" title="macro image of a common blue damselfly" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Close up of an electric blue damselfly resting on some grass.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-byOqEmOHJEY/WVP2j0mPJwI/AAAAAAAAMkA/NA_mx5hxuc0NVDiNO60sTRH7kXbGzM7MwCLcBGAs/s1600/Meadow%2BBrown%2BButterfly%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="A meadow brown butterfly sips nectar from yellow flowers in this macro image" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-byOqEmOHJEY/WVP2j0mPJwI/AAAAAAAAMkA/NA_mx5hxuc0NVDiNO60sTRH7kXbGzM7MwCLcBGAs/s1600/Meadow%2BBrown%2BButterfly%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Macro image of a meadow brown butterfly feeding" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A good view of this meadow brown sipping at the flower nectar.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2tegKh7XsEQ/WVP2jWLbNAI/AAAAAAAAMj4/9DPZIlOXjKcBwKnsKtrdo7_OQwquWwAgACLcBGAs/s1600/Meadow%2BBrown%2BButterfly%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of a meadow brown butterfly among the grass" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2tegKh7XsEQ/WVP2jWLbNAI/AAAAAAAAMj4/9DPZIlOXjKcBwKnsKtrdo7_OQwquWwAgACLcBGAs/s640/Meadow%2BBrown%2BButterfly%2B01%2B.jpg" title="A meadow brown butterfly spreads it's wings on some grass" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A meadow brown with open wings. As you can tell, there were a lot of meadow browns about.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqZDzyNit6A/WVP2ja9t3kI/AAAAAAAAMjw/pSNE8D5GWNAimTtfGHPYOKvV0dAUs0m1wCLcBGAs/s1600/Feather%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Extreme close up of a section of a feather" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqZDzyNit6A/WVP2ja9t3kI/AAAAAAAAMjw/pSNE8D5GWNAimTtfGHPYOKvV0dAUs0m1wCLcBGAs/s640/Feather%2B.jpg" title="Macro image of a bird's feather with detail" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A close up of a feather that caught my eye.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5fjjgt7JZ8/WVP2h0wNUBI/AAAAAAAAMjQ/pPcLWCWpIaQyw-peIKjk4CfRSy8Rbw92gCLcBGAs/s1600/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Black headed gull flies above with a pure white background" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5fjjgt7JZ8/WVP2h0wNUBI/AAAAAAAAMjQ/pPcLWCWpIaQyw-peIKjk4CfRSy8Rbw92gCLcBGAs/s640/Black-Headed%2BGull%2B.jpg" title="A black headed gull soars overhead" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">And finally, here's one of a black-headed gull for good measure.</span></td></tr>
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Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com01 Station Rd, Bluntisham, Huntingdon PE28 3PA, UK52.340530910267667 0.001802444458007812552.338105410267666 -0.0032400555419921876 52.342956410267668 0.0068449444580078126tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-14518048239405796762017-06-23T21:10:00.001+01:002017-06-23T21:10:43.269+01:00Lynford Arboretum at Thetford Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_NOAZHcA_BQ/WUrIoWujuTI/AAAAAAAAMUY/f5CxO4KBbzw4_lcj2tWoOrJ8KC7SW7ccgCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Lynford Arboretum at Thetford Forest in Norfolk" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_NOAZHcA_BQ/WUrIoWujuTI/AAAAAAAAMUY/f5CxO4KBbzw4_lcj2tWoOrJ8KC7SW7ccgCLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Pine woodland at Thetford Forest in the morning sun" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I paid a visit to Thetford Forest, in particular, to Lynford Arboretum, a beautiful spot located in the North East corner of the forest, and somewhere I’d not been to before, so I was keen to give the old camera a bit of an airing and to see what I could see.<br /><br />Owned by the Forestry Commission, it is the UK’s largest man made lowland forest and covers over 18,700 hectares, and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The forest was created after the First World War to provide a strategic reserve of timber, since the country had lost so many oaks and other slow-growing trees as a consequence of the war's demands.</span><div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slo6gQF_qlA/WUrInE6lnVI/AAAAAAAAMT8/PwoRgxlJrR4d6EbRHdPUsPB2l5NyhGuMgCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Pine tree woodland at Thetford Forest in Lynford Arboretum" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slo6gQF_qlA/WUrInE6lnVI/AAAAAAAAMT8/PwoRgxlJrR4d6EbRHdPUsPB2l5NyhGuMgCLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Ivy covered tree at Lynford Arboretum in Thetford Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A tranquil forest scene.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From its creation in the 1920’s, Thetford Forest’s predominant use was to produce timber for a wide variety of outlets, and this continued up until 1990, when the forest was designated as a Forest Park. This refocused the main objective of the forest towards wildlife conservation and visitor attraction.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_OwVhhAo_2o/WUrImxZBGHI/AAAAAAAAMT4/S3T73twdco4PAUwEYFLxhy32Yh1FTOFCQCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Camera movement over pine trees at Thetford Forest in Norfolk" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_OwVhhAo_2o/WUrImxZBGHI/AAAAAAAAMT4/S3T73twdco4PAUwEYFLxhy32Yh1FTOFCQCLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Pine tree movement at Thetford Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A played around with a bit of intentional camera movement. Here I panned upwards as I took the shot, <br />smearing the pine trees vertically along the image.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lynford Arboretum is home to over 200 tree species, with many rare varieties, including the Serbian Spruce, which is rarely encountered in the wild. It has been calculated that an ancient oak tree found in the south of the Arboretum was planted in 1671. The same year that saw Charles II on the throne, and Mark Anthony, the Roman General of Anthony and Cleopatra fame, die.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BW5k70i5mv8/WUrInbfKQ2I/AAAAAAAAMUA/ojEhX9hmZjEMNC7SM4xUJedXkN9DIvPNwCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Pine trees move with zoom panning in Lynford Arboretum at Thetford Forest" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BW5k70i5mv8/WUrInbfKQ2I/AAAAAAAAMUA/ojEhX9hmZjEMNC7SM4xUJedXkN9DIvPNwCLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B04%2B.jpg" title="Zoom movement of pine trees in Thetford Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">These next shots were taken while zooming the lens very quickly while pressing the shutter, which gives <br />some interesting results.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QymNTMFulEA/WUrInbxCztI/AAAAAAAAMUE/RYipL9T4l-wdmYIhWsbBWlfaUQMz1HCAgCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B05%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Thetford Forest pine woodland with intentional camera movement zoom" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QymNTMFulEA/WUrInbxCztI/AAAAAAAAMUE/RYipL9T4l-wdmYIhWsbBWlfaUQMz1HCAgCLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B05%2B.jpg" title="Creative camera movement at Lynford Arboretum" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3ALcvCg824/WUrInlBfD7I/AAAAAAAAMUI/fCvkzwklOZ45FW43JFs5Ef8-f-aKvanyACLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B06%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Pine trees of Lynford Arboretum camera movement in Norfolk" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3ALcvCg824/WUrInlBfD7I/AAAAAAAAMUI/fCvkzwklOZ45FW43JFs5Ef8-f-aKvanyACLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B06%2B.jpg" title="Tree movement with ICM at Thetford Forest" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PVL2jMc0e8M/WUrIn-tNtkI/AAAAAAAAMUM/sVEpU_rRPBsyu-Mq5YKxnm81FGm3QpaKACLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B07%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Pine trees and grassy pathway with intentional camera movement" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PVL2jMc0e8M/WUrIn-tNtkI/AAAAAAAAMUM/sVEpU_rRPBsyu-Mq5YKxnm81FGm3QpaKACLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B07%2B.jpg" title="Woodland path zooms towards the viewer at Thetford Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">These two shots remind of the speeder chases in Return of the Jedi, and that is never a bad thing.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7PL9hnS754/WUrIoDbOv1I/AAAAAAAAMUQ/vZucPQ0_Hkk50QnAjovoNUr-OO3CgbvUgCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B08%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Lynford Arboretum lens movement with pine trees in a blue at Thetford Forest" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7PL9hnS754/WUrIoDbOv1I/AAAAAAAAMUQ/vZucPQ0_Hkk50QnAjovoNUr-OO3CgbvUgCLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B08%2B.jpg" title="Speeding through pine woodland at Thetford Forest" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had a bit of a wander around and soon found myself in the pine forest, lowland Britain’s largest example, as I can never resist a pine forest. The rows of plumb straight trunks and lush green canopy are always an enchanting sight. And as the arboretum was not particularly busy as a whole, I had the whole pine grove to myself, with just the ever present chirruping of the birds in the afternoon sunshine, and a couple of skittish muntjacks timorously emerging from the shadows for company.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzyW-8FliWo/WUrIoe-xsEI/AAAAAAAAMUU/ULngmlaLj1wHb2jwPBEy1_mPZtJvNvpiACLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B09%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Quiet woodland view of large trees in Lynford Arboretum under spring sunshine" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzyW-8FliWo/WUrIoe-xsEI/AAAAAAAAMUU/ULngmlaLj1wHb2jwPBEy1_mPZtJvNvpiACLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B09%2B.jpg" title="Pine trees in a peaceful woodland scene at Thetford Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The bright sunshine illuminates the forest floor.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DihYkYZo8y4/WUrIoveK_WI/AAAAAAAAMUc/eGrkxsrrEA4W2F5xcRHTEFOOC7ZmDt8WgCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B10%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Pathway beneath the towering pine trees on a spring day at Thetford Forest" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DihYkYZo8y4/WUrIoveK_WI/AAAAAAAAMUc/eGrkxsrrEA4W2F5xcRHTEFOOC7ZmDt8WgCLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B10%2B.jpg" title="Grass path through the straight pine trees of Lynford Arboretum" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of the grass trails that wind their way through the woodland. A muntjack appeared out of the greenery <br />along here, but as per, I was too slow to get a picture of it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RTjHowdoGFI/WUrIo2359EI/AAAAAAAAMUg/lhTF6CdMbtslMJH54d-GAtqu3v_w-MNMgCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B11%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Lush spring woodland in Lynford Arboretum in the afternoon sunshine" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RTjHowdoGFI/WUrIo2359EI/AAAAAAAAMUg/lhTF6CdMbtslMJH54d-GAtqu3v_w-MNMgCLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B11%2B.jpg" title="Spring green leaves and a green woodland at Lynford Arboretum" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Beech trees looking stunning against the bright green leafage. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After getting my fill of pines, I traversed the boundary of the plantation, where it borders onto land owned by the Ministry of Defence, and not welcoming to visitors judging by the numerous signs dotted along the perimeter, and found myself among a collection of beech trees. Their smooth trunks, rippled and fluid in an assortment of tan, grey and white hues, rising up from the verdurous ground into sprays of sparkling green foliage, still fresh and unspoiled in their spring vibrancy. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Thetford Forest afternoon among the trees in Norfolk woodland of Thetford Forest" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1Yo_Hjo-bY/WUrIo9PqqOI/AAAAAAAAMUk/wcugI6I7WmAqZins4QgSpGSX0ds3vvsnQCLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B12%2B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Tree trunks and spring green foliage at the beautiful Lynford Arboretum" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With the leaves catching the sunlight, they seem to glimmer among the tree trunks.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIaNUcp3rQM/WUrIpAROUYI/AAAAAAAAMUs/tQBlXKgsQzYKtHV8axZl2-uc4s8WZn3eACLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B13%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Fresh foliage at Lynford Arboretum in Thetford Forest in Norfolk" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIaNUcp3rQM/WUrIpAROUYI/AAAAAAAAMUs/tQBlXKgsQzYKtHV8axZl2-uc4s8WZn3eACLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B13%2B.jpg" title="Spray of spring green leaves in the Forestry Commission woodland at Thetford " width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A frond splash of apple green.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMFe4bHdleE/WUrIpHv8mCI/AAAAAAAAMUo/IsW3ViUr3jETR2D2eaRv03n0N7oIEXXWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B14%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Portrait of a tree in Lynford Arboretum in monochrome at Thetford Forest" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMFe4bHdleE/WUrIpHv8mCI/AAAAAAAAMUo/IsW3ViUr3jETR2D2eaRv03n0N7oIEXXWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B14%2B.jpg" title="Muscular tree trunk in black and white in Thetford Forest" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A muscular looking tree trunk.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kH34J-XNfAM/WUrIpVX-KjI/AAAAAAAAMUw/55ro3Gs3i804lLz_N8uw_oshRYfEuT-HgCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B15%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Spring leaves cast shadows on a tree trunk in the sun at Lynford Arboretum" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kH34J-XNfAM/WUrIpVX-KjI/AAAAAAAAMUw/55ro3Gs3i804lLz_N8uw_oshRYfEuT-HgCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B15%2B.jpg" title="Shadow of leaves on a tree trunk in Thetford Forest in Norfolk" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I liked the pattern of shadows these leaves created on the base of the tree.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once I’d gotten a few pictures of the handsome scenes around me, I headed back to the car, but, and I know I often say it, this was a place that would definitely require another visit.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wfueaoo1MqU/WUrIptAxIcI/AAAAAAAAMU0/BfaCYzgtR_4B-3pL4oK1A990HdeY3bqkQCLcBGAs/s1600/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B16%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Woodland scene in the spring sunshine at Lynford Arboretum in Thetford Forest" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wfueaoo1MqU/WUrIptAxIcI/AAAAAAAAMU0/BfaCYzgtR_4B-3pL4oK1A990HdeY3bqkQCLcBGAs/s640/Lynford%2BArboretum%2B16%2B.jpg" title="Beautiful spring green leaves and pale tree trunks at Thetford Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A minty looking natural tableau.</span></td></tr>
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Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0Pine Lodge, Lynford, Thetford IP26 5ET, UK52.487641144902156 0.6780624389648437552.482806644902155 0.66797743896484374 52.492475644902157 0.68814743896484376tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-3698215161471863172017-06-05T14:39:00.000+01:002017-06-05T14:39:53.745+01:00Cotswolds tour part two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the second day of my mini tour around the Gloucestershire Cotswolds, I found myself in the early spring sunshine on the banks of the River Windrush, as it slowly ambles through the popular Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The term village of course is somewhat of a misnomer, as the number of permanent residents in Bourton outnumber those of nearby Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford, both of which are considered small market towns, despite neither of them boasting a market. It’s all very confusing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">During peak tourist months, the number of visitors easily outrank residents, which, if you’ve ever visited during the summer, and seen the hordes of people lounging next to the river and milling around the shops, is not hard to believe for a second.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-6a2H0oHtk/WS2-n_lh05I/AAAAAAAALSw/DLowE0nu4Jg1wRlCBfT9egLqGuUz6p59gCLcB/s1600/River%2BWindrush%2Bat%2BBourton%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sunny spring morning looking down the river through Bourton on the water in Gloucestershire" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-6a2H0oHtk/WS2-n_lh05I/AAAAAAAALSw/DLowE0nu4Jg1wRlCBfT9egLqGuUz6p59gCLcB/s640/River%2BWindrush%2Bat%2BBourton%2B.jpg" title="Bourton on the water footbridge over the River Windrush" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Morning sunshine in Bourton.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the reasons the place is so popular is the fact that the aforementioned River Windrush flows through the centre of the village, creating a picture perfect scene of pastoral village life, minus the faux quaint tourist shops, of which there are many, and the throngs of people of course. Plus the river is spanned by several arched stone footbridges, which have led, somewhat optimistically at best, and dementedly inaccurate at worst, to Bourton being labelled the Venice of the Cotswolds.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pm_XnYjFnmM/WS2-lJUA0tI/AAAAAAAALSc/FXgTVO2ZPH8xEUXzRSvP4xHt51ugeavZwCLcB/s1600/Bridge%2Band%2BTrees%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful sunshine on the River Windrush at Bourton on the water in the Cotswolds" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pm_XnYjFnmM/WS2-lJUA0tI/AAAAAAAALSc/FXgTVO2ZPH8xEUXzRSvP4xHt51ugeavZwCLcB/s1600/Bridge%2Band%2BTrees%2B.jpg" title="Colourful tree overhangs Bourton on the water village stream" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looks more like autumn on this tree.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyway, we had arrived in the relatively early morning, and although there were tourists aplenty already up and about, it was peaceful enough to recollect how lovely the village can be, especially in the warm spring sunshine, and see why it’s such a draw to visitors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After getting a very decent coffee in the Cornish Bakery, with its attendant images of sunny Cornwall on the walls, and whose establishments I have only ever visited on the coast, I found myself rather bewildered, stepping back out into such classic Cotswold surroundings. But I soon pulled myself together and we headed up the road to Lower Slaughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not that we were planning to stop there, having visited so many times before. Instead we drove through the picture perfect community and made for somewhere slightly off the tourist trail, we were going to Upper Slaughter, Lower’s oft overlooked companion.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lwEQbtXrayU/WS2-qNUpjnI/AAAAAAAALS8/Bz12zwgMVWUS_M_P-Jjv-65wyMu0ZyUzACLcB/s1600/Upper%2BSlaughter%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Idyllic Cotswold village of Upper Slaughter in the spring sinshine" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lwEQbtXrayU/WS2-qNUpjnI/AAAAAAAALS8/Bz12zwgMVWUS_M_P-Jjv-65wyMu0ZyUzACLcB/s640/Upper%2BSlaughter%2B.jpg" title="Picturesque Upper Slaughter in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">While we were there some chickens were brought out to be fed by the river. Nice spot for a picnic.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To my mind Upper Slaughter is about the most idyllic little village you can imagine, and I’m not sure why it doesn’t get that many visitors, perhaps because it has no actual ‘attractions’, besides the timeless beauty of it, but I’m certainly not complaining, as it leaves the bucolic charm of the place to those few that do roll up for a visit.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpSti2c6r98/WS2-l3FCKnI/AAAAAAAALSg/BHftndh4gE0Foq0Y0dKQUfK9cGXSiDq6ACLcB/s1600/Ancient%2BFootbridge%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Idyllic view of Upper Slaughter and historic footbridge over a stream in the Cotswolds" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpSti2c6r98/WS2-l3FCKnI/AAAAAAAALSg/BHftndh4gE0Foq0Y0dKQUfK9cGXSiDq6ACLcB/s640/Ancient%2BFootbridge%2B.jpg" title="Ancient footbridge at Upper Slaughter in the Cotswolds sunshine" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Very old footbridge.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We parked up at the southern end of the village and took a walk down to where the River Eye, a tributary of the Windrush, splits the village in two, although it doesn’t in any sense split it, as the river, although it’s more of a stream really, is so shallow that the road simply crosses right through it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a handsome little stone bridge that also spans it for those on foot who don’t want to get wet feet, and it was by this arched beauty that we set up the cameras to get some shots. Once that was completed, we took off again for our next destination, which was to be another overlooked little Cotswold gem, namely Eastleach.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GAGrjLHENec/WS2-rj7E8eI/AAAAAAAALTA/3Q_3dwktM1A1lzIKjTa4xPMjGZGYaT8FgCLcB/s1600/Upper%2BSlaughter%2BPanoramic%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Cotswold village of Upper Slaughter in this bright spring panoramic photograph" border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1500" height="252" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GAGrjLHENec/WS2-rj7E8eI/AAAAAAAALTA/3Q_3dwktM1A1lzIKjTa4xPMjGZGYaT8FgCLcB/s640/Upper%2BSlaughter%2BPanoramic%2B.jpg" title="Panoramic image of the picturesque Upper Slaughter" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Panoramic of the village. Click on the image to see it larger.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Or to be more precise, two Cotswold gems, as the village is comprised of both Eastleach Turville and Eastleach Martin, which were combined into the parish of Eastleach in 1935. The two parts of the village are separated by the River Leach, which gives its name to the village of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is another place that has no attractions beyond the architecture and the sleepy rural ambience, so gets very little attention, we were the only visitors at the time. We had hoped to get a picture of St. Andrew’s church, one of two churches that sit about 100 yards apart, thanks to the historically dual nature of the village, but it was covered in scaffolding, so there wasn’t any point.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jgXkfic6VA/WS2-nWz2fuI/AAAAAAAALSo/qP3y-0mM-8AMG2ogBzpZQWkW-8eVtGNfACLcB/s1600/Clapper%2BBridge%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="A swan glides past a clapper bridge in the historic village of Eastleach" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jgXkfic6VA/WS2-nWz2fuI/AAAAAAAALSo/qP3y-0mM-8AMG2ogBzpZQWkW-8eVtGNfACLcB/s640/Clapper%2BBridge%2B.jpg" title="Ancient clapper bridge at Eastleach in the Cotswolds" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This swan did have a go at a dog while we were there, but apart from that she seemed quite laid back.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instead we strolled over to the Medieval Keble clapper bridge, named after John Keble, the 19th century churchman who was curate of St Michael and St Martin's Church in Eastleach Martin, and who Keble College in Oxford was also named after.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After getting a shot of the bridge, and the resident swan, who may be the most well known current denizen of the village, thanks to its overzealous defence of the bridge when she has eggs or signets to protect, we took off for a view of the Hatherop Estate.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BaE6ER2fUc4/WS2-neBl2lI/AAAAAAAALSs/WZKHHxhhRooeBbJQKxUpTw6M3OsYeBzaQCLcB/s1600/Hatherop%2BEstate%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Landscape photograph of the Hatherop Estate with trees in spring bloom" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BaE6ER2fUc4/WS2-neBl2lI/AAAAAAAALSs/WZKHHxhhRooeBbJQKxUpTw6M3OsYeBzaQCLcB/s640/Hatherop%2BEstate%2B.jpg" title="Hatherop Estate from above in the Cotswolds" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not a typical Cotswolds view, but very nice nonetheless.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stretching to around 3,800 acres, the estate includes several villages, including Eastleach, along with numerous farms, woodlands and naturally, a 16th century castle. No well healed estate would be complete without one. The castle is now a boarding school, and about the closest way a muggle will get to being taught at Hogwarts I know of.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K8IKD0dj2Pw/WS2-sd9ESmI/AAAAAAAALTE/sp048dHk2iYqYacb_qh5lx1EFdNcc7FWwCLcB/s1600/Winding%2BWall%2BPast%2BBarn%2B%2526%2BTrees%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Old barn and ancient stone wall in the Cotswolds on the Hatherop Estate" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K8IKD0dj2Pw/WS2-sd9ESmI/AAAAAAAALTE/sp048dHk2iYqYacb_qh5lx1EFdNcc7FWwCLcB/s640/Winding%2BWall%2BPast%2BBarn%2B%2526%2BTrees%2B.jpg" title="Lone barn on the Hatherop Estate in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Close up of the barn and stone wall.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We took one of the little lanes that rises up along the edge of the estate to get a view down onto the farmland, selecting a spot that gave us a clear outlook over a single barn, a curving track, a wandering stone wall and healthy collection mature trees. The sky was still very overcast but was beginning to clear behind us, allowing glimpses of sunlight to fall upon the scenic landscape, and give it a bit of warm vitality.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AzYmfsvlSKk/WS2-qH5XxHI/AAAAAAAALS4/75xkkeE7TLsjUlSendCdXUZsCf64C6o7wCLcB/s1600/Tree%2BHill%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Cotswold countryside on the Hatherop Estate in Gloucestershire" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AzYmfsvlSKk/WS2-qH5XxHI/AAAAAAAALS4/75xkkeE7TLsjUlSendCdXUZsCf64C6o7wCLcB/s640/Tree%2BHill%2B.jpg" title="Picturesque stand of mature trees on the Hatherop Estate" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">An attractive clump of trees if ever I saw one.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once we had had taken a few shots it was time to wrap up the day with a trip to Sherborne, and spend a little time in the Windrush Valley. By now the weather had returned to sunshine, and we took in the beautiful scenery around us before heading to the village shop and tearoom for a bit of much needed refreshment.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nysw8kMhP-c/WS2-sV9PjyI/AAAAAAAALTI/y7ez5UKvSXkOn98Z034uKEEuxxIDgKWEACLcB/s1600/Windrush%2BValley%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Idyllic view of sheep and Windrush valley stream near Sherborne in the Cotswolds" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nysw8kMhP-c/WS2-sV9PjyI/AAAAAAAALTI/y7ez5UKvSXkOn98Z034uKEEuxxIDgKWEACLcB/s640/Windrush%2BValley%2B.jpg" title="Beautiful spring sunshine on the Windrush Valley" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking along the Sherborne Brooke, a tributary of the River Windrush.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlshVIa7_3c/WS2-p8QjApI/AAAAAAAALS0/zw3emopZjK8yA7YI6GSt3XoU8po4GUEBwCLcB/s1600/Rogue%2BLamb%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Young lamb eating grass in the Windrush Valley on a spring afternoon" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlshVIa7_3c/WS2-p8QjApI/AAAAAAAALS0/zw3emopZjK8yA7YI6GSt3XoU8po4GUEBwCLcB/s640/Rogue%2BLamb%2B.jpg" title="Little lamb grazing in the Cotswold sunshine" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This little fellow had escaped the confines of the field, apparently the grass was greener this side!</span></td></tr>
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<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com1Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54, UK51.886805 -1.763191000000006251.8083815 -1.9245525000000061 51.9652285 -1.6018295000000062tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-41053942389155460962017-06-03T19:57:00.001+01:002017-06-03T19:57:20.495+01:00Cotswolds tour part one<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVUQwT_S704/WS3DFZAYWaI/AAAAAAAALTY/kSjLo4YvWkweZ8VetcBjBHaFMIpA8mC6QCLcB/s1600/Flower%2BLane%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Cotswold village of Guiting Power on a sunny day with beautiful flowers" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVUQwT_S704/WS3DFZAYWaI/AAAAAAAALTY/kSjLo4YvWkweZ8VetcBjBHaFMIpA8mC6QCLcB/s640/Flower%2BLane%2B.jpg" title="Guiting Power lane with spring flowers" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not long ago, I took a little jaunt around the Cotswolds for a couple of days with a friend of mine who is writing a photography book about the area. We went to scout out a few suitable views that could be included, both the classic spots, and the less visited ones. Which of course gave me ample opportunity to snaffle a few pics of my own, and I took my full English pleasure at such an occasion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first stop was the picturesque village of Guiting Power. This charming little place does have its fair share of visitors, as it lies on the path of the Warden’s Way, a popular walking route, but it’s certainly not on the tourist trail, and is never very busy. But with its quiet lanes and quintessential Cotswold stone houses, it is one of my favourite places to visit in this part of the Cotswolds. Plus it has a very decent cafe right next to the village green which doesn’t hurt.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OyhuopnJIHA/WS29BTxxGZI/AAAAAAAALSI/lDwuC8npuJwnDaOyCbnpdfE-o2j9JHuNQCLcB/s1600/The%2BFarmers%2BArms%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Honey coloured houses in Guiting Power in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OyhuopnJIHA/WS29BTxxGZI/AAAAAAAALSI/lDwuC8npuJwnDaOyCbnpdfE-o2j9JHuNQCLcB/s640/The%2BFarmers%2BArms%2B.jpg" title="Guiting Power high street in the warm sunshine" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking down the High Street towards The Farmers Arms, one of two pubs that bookend the village.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Situated in the heart of north cotswold country, in the upper reaches of the Windrush Valley, the village lies on the slopes above a small valley (formed by a tributary of the River Windrush), and there is evidence of a late Anglo-Saxon settlement on the site, when it was called Gyting Broc.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkiiJ6K0FIc/WS29CZouB_I/AAAAAAAALSQ/DIc4TX8Wgt841cfyBhfa6c99ep5iFNlzQCLcB/s1600/War%2BMemorial%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Village green and old houses in Guiting Power deep in the Cotswolds" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkiiJ6K0FIc/WS29CZouB_I/AAAAAAAALSQ/DIc4TX8Wgt841cfyBhfa6c99ep5iFNlzQCLcB/s640/War%2BMemorial%2B.jpg" title="War memorial in the Cotswolds village of Guiting Power " width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The village war memorial, with the cafe on the right hand side of the image.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After getting a few shots of the village itself, resplendent in the morning sunshine, and festooned with spring green foliage and colourful flowers, we stopped for a cup of coffee, while sat across from the village green and its border of appealing, russet coloured houses.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KOJde_O6Fw/WS29B_KXiMI/AAAAAAAALSM/KHc0qvgDg8ky8f3MxMCPZZcAZHjfCSGAACLcB/s1600/Tree%2Bwith%2BBlue%2BFlowers%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="image from under a spring green tree canopy in the Cotswold village of Guiting Power" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KOJde_O6Fw/WS29B_KXiMI/AAAAAAAALSM/KHc0qvgDg8ky8f3MxMCPZZcAZHjfCSGAACLcB/s640/Tree%2Bwith%2BBlue%2BFlowers%2B.jpg" title="Guiting Power tree in the sunshine and warm stone houses" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking towards one of the churches, which has been converted to a house, from under a lush horse chestnut.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The parish church of St Michael and All Angels is situated on the south edge of the village. It is of Norman origin, with a later Victorian transept. The south door is one of the finest examples of Norman style in a parish church, and was kept intact when the church was renovated in the 19th century.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kbzlp7Ag5Ig/WS28-x_vsxI/AAAAAAAALSU/NWmNyKKv_bUk-UkH4264njp3vOKm4y63gCPcB/s1600/St%2BMichael%2527s%2Band%2BAll%2BAngels%2BChurch%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="St Michael's church in Guiting Power in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kbzlp7Ag5Ig/WS28-x_vsxI/AAAAAAAALSU/NWmNyKKv_bUk-UkH4264njp3vOKm4y63gCPcB/s640/St%2BMichael%2527s%2Band%2BAll%2BAngels%2BChurch%2B.jpg" title="Guiting Power church with tree lined path" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">St. Michael's church and its tree lined entrance path.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Grade II listed building formerly stood in the centre of the village, but the demolition of buildings since 1900 has left it standing at the village's southern end. The church was owned by the Knights Templar in their day, along with St Mary’s in the nearby village of Temple Guiting, the name of which of course gives a clue to the proprietors. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6tgsiro1wo/WS28-WL0RKI/AAAAAAAALR0/nGF8DDsojYYg4ojwCsVzQ17sKweKzs9KACLcB/s1600/St%2BMichael%2527s%2BChurch%2Bin%2Bthe%2BAfternoon%2BSun%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Looking towards St Michael's church at Guiting Power in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6tgsiro1wo/WS28-WL0RKI/AAAAAAAALR0/nGF8DDsojYYg4ojwCsVzQ17sKweKzs9KACLcB/s640/St%2BMichael%2527s%2BChurch%2Bin%2Bthe%2BAfternoon%2BSun%2B.jpg" title="Guiting Power church and surrounding landscape in the Cotswolds" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A view of St. Michael's from outside the village and the sun dappled hillside.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We then headed up onto higher ground to get some images of the village from afar, to see it nestled among the trees, some of which were still to reveal their verdant seasonal coats, and the patchwork landscape of the Gloucestershire countryside. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPPOlCZGpRw/WS286zjNWnI/AAAAAAAALRg/jKJMN1uRaLMNDoFRQWXHOCHh2zpiR4yDACLcB/s1600/Guiting%2BPower%2BLandscape%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Cotswolds landscape on a sunny day near the village of Guiting Power" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPPOlCZGpRw/WS286zjNWnI/AAAAAAAALRg/jKJMN1uRaLMNDoFRQWXHOCHh2zpiR4yDACLcB/s640/Guiting%2BPower%2BLandscape%2B.jpg" title="Gloucestershire Cotswolds countryside near Guiting Power" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another view of the church but from even further away, you can see how it seems to 'settle' into the landscape.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Next up was Winchcombe, a small town that is made up of classic Cotswold stone houses, along with black and white half-timbered buildings. Lots of the major Cotswold walking routes run past the town so it has become quite a popular spot, add to that the magnificent Sudeley Castle, which is right on it's doorstep, and it makes for a rather bustling place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We drove in for a spot of lunch, but didn’t stop for too long, as it was quite busy, with plenty of traffic rumbling down its main street. Instead we took a little lane from the town’s southern end towards Belas Knap, a Neolithic long barrow which dates from around 3000BC, and up onto much loftier ground.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FpS_3RYkGiE/WS29BG955tI/AAAAAAAALSU/Pi2UBxYWK2M0pObPHqyQ0WMppCt9KTcBwCPcB/s1600/Sudeley%2BCastle%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FpS_3RYkGiE/WS29BG955tI/AAAAAAAALSU/Pi2UBxYWK2M0pObPHqyQ0WMppCt9KTcBwCPcB/s640/Sudeley%2BCastle%2B.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The 15th century Sudeley Castle under the harsh midday light.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stopping at the pull in for Belas Knap, which can be reached via a steep woodland ascent, we got some pictures of Sudeley Castle and grounds from above, with Salter’s Hill in the background. Following the small winding lane, with its glorious views, we stopped at a dazzling rape field just above Tewkesbury for a wander around its perimeter, and then carried on for a view of the town itself.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7h3i4vot9zk/WS28-R24CFI/AAAAAAAALR4/VEA32QSNglgAl_-cpBgdeW5yPbsZPISbACLcB/s1600/Sloping%2BRape%2BField%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Gloucestershire Cotswolds sunny yellow field panorama on a beautiful day" border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1500" height="272" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7h3i4vot9zk/WS28-R24CFI/AAAAAAAALR4/VEA32QSNglgAl_-cpBgdeW5yPbsZPISbACLcB/s640/Sloping%2BRape%2BField%2B.jpg" title="Rape field panoramic near Tewksbury in the Cotswolds" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A gently sloping field of sunshine.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tewkesbury, a place with many notable Medieval and Tudor buildings, but its major claim to fame is Tewkesbury Abbey, a fine Norman abbey church, originally part of a monastery, which was saved from the Dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII after being bought by the townspeople for the price of the lead on the roof. to use as their parish church.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i78VjDHECOk/WS29AYBaH2I/AAAAAAAALSA/l3R_jE3Va_Apbmt1WldQkAxo-352pbyDwCLcB/s1600/Tewksbury%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Looking towards the Gloucestershire Cotswold town of Tewksbury in this panoramic image" border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="980" height="270" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i78VjDHECOk/WS29AYBaH2I/AAAAAAAALSA/l3R_jE3Va_Apbmt1WldQkAxo-352pbyDwCLcB/s640/Tewksbury%2B.jpg" title="Panorama of the Cotswold town of Tewksbury from a distance" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking over the town of Tewkesbury, with the abbey to the bottom left of the frame.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then it was on to Lower Slaughter, situated near the stiflingly popular Bourton-on-the-Water, it gets nowhere near the number of visitors that Bourton does, thankfully, as it could never cope, but it is still a very well attended spot.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sB2R_Z30vww/WS289YK-YiI/AAAAAAAALRw/2KeLOmxw5KkhoMMHHrns97Nr_Ut5z_x6wCLcB/s1600/Lower%2BSlaughter%2BBehind%2BTrees%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Gloucestershire Cotswold village of Lower Slaughter on a beautiful sunny day" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sB2R_Z30vww/WS289YK-YiI/AAAAAAAALRw/2KeLOmxw5KkhoMMHHrns97Nr_Ut5z_x6wCLcB/s640/Lower%2BSlaughter%2BBehind%2BTrees%2B.jpg" title="Lower Slaughter nestled among the trees and Cotswold landscape" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A fine looking tree with Lower Slaughter in the mid distance.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we had both already got our fair share of pictures over the years in the village itself, we opted to try and get a different perspective from outside its comely confines. After trying a few different lanes, in an effort to discover a suitable view, we finally found a nice composition, with the village framed by a couple of trees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Records exist showing that Lower Slaughter has been inhabited for over 1000 years. The Domesday Book entry has the village name as ‘Sclostre’. Which is where the modern day ‘Slaughter’ part of the name comes from.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxvXAhqXsg4/WS288sLruZI/AAAAAAAALRs/c2HFUIWW3DciwITbMJWnrSYPDw9Dk0atwCLcB/s1600/Lower%2BSlaughter%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Lower Slaughter under the afternoon sunshine with surrounding Cotswolds countryside" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxvXAhqXsg4/WS288sLruZI/AAAAAAAALRs/c2HFUIWW3DciwITbMJWnrSYPDw9Dk0atwCLcB/s640/Lower%2BSlaughter%2B.jpg" title="Old mill chimney and village of Lower Slaughter in the Cotswolds" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">You can clearly see the 19th century mill tower, with the spire of St. Mary's church behind it.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While the day was drawing to an end, we made our final stop, finding a viewpoint below Stow-on-the-Wold, to get a shot of the village in the distance, perched on top of the 800 foot escarpment on which it sits. With the warm, early evening sunshine lighting up the trees and hillside, along with a touch of colour beginning to appear in the clouds above, it was a pleasant way to end the day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-toKjcFbSJ7E/WS287WO-ubI/AAAAAAAALRk/DsphHRmXtD8bDuOIe0P56L7xfKOgm7JcgCLcB/s1600/Looking%2BTowards%2BStowe-on-the-Wold%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Stow church on a hill and surrounding Cotswold landscape in the late afternoon light" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-toKjcFbSJ7E/WS287WO-ubI/AAAAAAAALRk/DsphHRmXtD8bDuOIe0P56L7xfKOgm7JcgCLcB/s640/Looking%2BTowards%2BStowe-on-the-Wold%2B.jpg" title="View to Stow on the Wold from a distance in the Cotswolds" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stow in the distance.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com3Guiting Power, Cheltenham GL54, UK51.920565 -1.864191000000005326.398530500000003 -43.172785000000005 77.4425995 39.444402999999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-62070780548390424362017-05-17T19:40:00.000+01:002017-05-17T19:40:22.606+01:00Bluebells at Waresley & Gransden Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HzW8GGusGt8/WRsp3HAyrAI/AAAAAAAAK_Q/fjI5nPk8GfwCpRPF86mCYpkMe3W2Qs0fQCLcB/s1600/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2BPanorama%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Panoramic image of beautiful bluebells at The Wildlife Trust Waresley & Gransden Woods" border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HzW8GGusGt8/WRsp3HAyrAI/AAAAAAAAK_Q/fjI5nPk8GfwCpRPF86mCYpkMe3W2Qs0fQCLcB/s640/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2BPanorama%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Bluebells at Waresley & Gransden Woods in Cambridgeshire" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Following on from my recent visit to see the bluebells at Brampton Wood, I took a trip over to Waresley & Gransden Woods to do the same. I was in two minds whether to go, as there are only so many shots of bluebells you can take in a season until they all start looking the same, so I didn't have high hopes in getting anything new.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Of ancient origin, having been part of the local landscape for thousands of years, Waresley and Gransden Woods are a 54 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest that contain predominantly ash, maple and hazel, with parts of the wood replanted earlier this century with oak, beech and sycamore. They are home to many breeding birds, an abundance of wildflowers, and over 500 species of moth and butterfly.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--wgkTP_gmd4/WRsptojtgXI/AAAAAAAAK-k/WiVY4g_GYZ8CR2in1ZwWFt5QGaqKWW06QCLcB/s1600/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Dry stream bed spring green leaves and a carpet of bluebells" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--wgkTP_gmd4/WRsptojtgXI/AAAAAAAAK-k/WiVY4g_GYZ8CR2in1ZwWFt5QGaqKWW06QCLcB/s640/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Spring woodland bluebells at Waresley & Gransden Woods" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A view from one of the little bridges that cross the stream, as you can see, no water in sight.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thankfully, my misgivings about seeing the same old views of a broad, flat woodland carpet, festooned with azure flowers, puncutated by slender trunks were not fulfilled. And I'm aware I sound like a growling curmudgeon, bemoaning the view of a classic English springtime display of such winsome exquiteness, that it's practically a treasonous offence. But, I have photographed a lot of bluebell scenes over the years, and it's nice to find something new, that's all I'm saying.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tfF0QceLVtI/WRsptnOsZNI/AAAAAAAAK-o/uoqchMk0LOMDHu6rxy95SOMOggZdEd4jQCLcB/s1600/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Bluebells cover Waresley & Gransden Woods in springtime " border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tfF0QceLVtI/WRsptnOsZNI/AAAAAAAAK-o/uoqchMk0LOMDHu6rxy95SOMOggZdEd4jQCLcB/s640/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Bluebells line the bank of dry woodland stream" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A shot after having ventured down the stream bed a little way.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The woods of Waresley & Gransden are two seperate woods that basically join together, but for the seperatation of a small, winding woodland stream, and it was this stream, or to be more precise the lack of it, that made my visit so enjoyable. And the beautiful bluebells as well of course. I have no wish to be invited to an extended spell in the tower, so definitely the bluebells as well.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flnBy6VZ1iM/WRspwxH-JBI/AAAAAAAAK-4/vDtohBOgVW0hVTk2iOD8TnTsO6pVWkwxQCLcB/s1600/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B06%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Looking along a dry woodland stream bed with colourful bluebells in this Cambridgeshire woods" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flnBy6VZ1iM/WRspwxH-JBI/AAAAAAAAK-4/vDtohBOgVW0hVTk2iOD8TnTsO6pVWkwxQCLcB/s640/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B06%2B.jpg" title="Bluebells carpet the woodland floor at Waresley & Gransden Woods" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It would have been nice to have some flowing water, to go with the bluebells, but it had its benefits.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately the stream had dried up, as so many have this year, which was a shame, but it enabled me to wander along it's course and get some images of the sapphire spring flowers that I couldn't have done otherwise. There were no footpaths alongside the stream, and I wasn't about to start damaging these delicate blooms or go traipsing through the very flowers I wanted to photograph, so the thirsty stream bed made a perfect avenue through the bejeweled weald.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As with many places, this spot will be well worth another visit, when the stream is back up and running, whenever that will be. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iMSkDWHjUj0/WRspwRIuesI/AAAAAAAAK-w/UEaXLQ2T8AoCR-f39Ig3UP_AQNDVuXp7wCLcB/s1600/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="beautiful bluebells in spring fill Waresley & Gransden Woods in Canbridgeshire" border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iMSkDWHjUj0/WRspwRIuesI/AAAAAAAAK-w/UEaXLQ2T8AoCR-f39Ig3UP_AQNDVuXp7wCLcB/s640/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B04%2B.jpg" title="Bright blue bluebells on the banks of this dry woodland stream bed" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking along the path of the stream bed, with the banks full of flowers.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7KNMGXlZ5Ac/WRspy3zd5xI/AAAAAAAAK-8/Z80FI5hT7zMAHQPKCwkzGPM8cE5cIM3rACLcB/s1600/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B07%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Sunlight dapples a bluebell woodland at Waresley & Gransden Woods" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7KNMGXlZ5Ac/WRspy3zd5xI/AAAAAAAAK-8/Z80FI5hT7zMAHQPKCwkzGPM8cE5cIM3rACLcB/s640/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B07%2B.jpg" title="Tree stump surrounded by bluebells in a Wildlife Trust woods" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">An old tree stump, probably hundreds of years old, at least.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nHj1ZoDb4Go/WRsp1vNz2JI/AAAAAAAAK_I/wwVN_6pAL0IZ_ErEAAm3HsgSDgZUrXcSgCLcB/s1600/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2BPanorama%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Dappled sunlight highlights spring bluebells in this quiet Cambridgeshire woodland" border="0" height="230" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nHj1ZoDb4Go/WRsp1vNz2JI/AAAAAAAAK_I/wwVN_6pAL0IZ_ErEAAm3HsgSDgZUrXcSgCLcB/s640/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2BPanorama%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Panoramic bluebell image from Waresley & Gransden Woods" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A panoramic of the colourful woodland. To view a larger size just click on the image.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5b5Y8e2ruhg/WRspzWn5v-I/AAAAAAAAK_A/o-zqS3tUdhoJH6Rv-unehZF7FYd2t0ELgCLcB/s1600/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B08%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Waresley & Gransden Woods in Cambridgeshire at springtime with beautiful bluebells" border="0" height="330" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5b5Y8e2ruhg/WRspzWn5v-I/AAAAAAAAK_A/o-zqS3tUdhoJH6Rv-unehZF7FYd2t0ELgCLcB/s640/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B08%2B.jpg" title="Moss covered trees and colourful bluebells in this idyllic woodland" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A moss covered tree, some bluebells and a section of the twisting stream bed. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPzfei4hsSM/WRspz7YH-FI/AAAAAAAAK_E/-A9rULQoogQRKPBB-se9uN3Xh9dFiatLACLcB/s1600/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B09%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Sunshine on a bluebell glade in Waresley & Gransden Woods in Cambridgeshire" border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPzfei4hsSM/WRspz7YH-FI/AAAAAAAAK_E/-A9rULQoogQRKPBB-se9uN3Xh9dFiatLACLcB/s640/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2B09%2B.jpg" title="A covering of spring bluebells in the dappled sunlight" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A scattering of bluebells in the dappled sunlight.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9KWPXqXUaY/WRsp320VALI/AAAAAAAAK_U/wKT6opxzIxc9PuBPr5Qb-ekvqkab4GXXQCLcB/s1600/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2BPanorama%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Huge badger set in Waresley & Gransden Woods in this springtime panorama" border="0" height="210" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9KWPXqXUaY/WRsp320VALI/AAAAAAAAK_U/wKT6opxzIxc9PuBPr5Qb-ekvqkab4GXXQCLcB/s640/Waresley%2B%2526%2BGransden%2BBluebells%2BPanorama%2B04%2B.jpg" title="Panoramic image of a badger set with bluebells in the afternoon sunshine" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">View across an enormous badger set that has obviously been there for quite some time.</span></td></tr>
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Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0Waresley & Gransden Woods Nature Reserve, Waresley, Sandy SG19 3BA, UK52.1781309 -0.1575391999999737927.840111399999998 -41.466133199999973 76.5161504 41.151054800000026tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-24764327156197758062017-05-11T20:49:00.002+01:002017-05-11T20:55:53.689+01:00Brampton Wood Bluebells<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKBa6DhIYT4/WRNxZluhXZI/AAAAAAAAK2E/RXifzs8_xq4-vcw6vh1tAZjGZARgrV0xQCLcB/s1600/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Woodland filled with bluebells at Brampton Wood Nature Reserve" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKBa6DhIYT4/WRNxZluhXZI/AAAAAAAAK2E/RXifzs8_xq4-vcw6vh1tAZjGZARgrV0xQCLcB/s640/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Brampton Wood bluebells in Cambridgeshire" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last week I took a trip to Brampton Wood, in search of bluebells, in fact I took two trips as it's a fairly large wood, and I couldn't do it justice in just one visit. In fact two trips barely grazes the surface of this fascinating place, but as it was the bluebell display I was after, that would just have to do, for now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Brampton Wood, at 326 acres, is the second largest ancient woodland in Cambridgeshire, and is at least 900 years old. The first records date back to the Doomsday Book, “woodland pasture - half a league long and 2 furlongs wide”, when animals such as pigs used to feed on acorns. A large earth bank marks its ancient boundary, the bank and ditch barrier were built in the Middle Ages, to protect the wood from invading cattle and to keep pasture animals inside. There are several other minor banks and ditches within the wood, thought to be prehistoric field drainage systems. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xrFY1L6FlQ0/WRNxihvc5bI/AAAAAAAAK24/pswwf6Uy7K8Fyd_rxbvtsWmmr0uRZxZhgCLcB/s1600/Brampton%2BWoods%2BSeed%2BCarpet%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Brampton Wood covered in white seeds in the spring" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xrFY1L6FlQ0/WRNxihvc5bI/AAAAAAAAK24/pswwf6Uy7K8Fyd_rxbvtsWmmr0uRZxZhgCLcB/s640/Brampton%2BWoods%2BSeed%2BCarpet%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Seeds lie on the ground like snow at Brampton Wood" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">When I first entered the woodland, it looked there had been a recent snowfall. These are seeds that have<br />been blown down from trees ( I don't know what sort) and covered the floor all around.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j11csfjyItk/WRNxkFfyhEI/AAAAAAAAK28/Lk6eQ89AqCICgDw8f--zxj3jD8I8ESi6wCLcB/s1600/Brampton%2BWoods%2BSeed%2BCarpet%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Seeds cover the ground at Brampton Wood making it look like a snowfall" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j11csfjyItk/WRNxkFfyhEI/AAAAAAAAK28/Lk6eQ89AqCICgDw8f--zxj3jD8I8ESi6wCLcB/s640/Brampton%2BWoods%2BSeed%2BCarpet%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Green plants lie on a blizzard of seeds at Brampton Wood" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I liked the contrast between the fresh green leaves and the ivory carpeted ground.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54lndwsPT-o/WRNxh4Co1FI/AAAAAAAAK20/tLAdm3FxMIcNmooYHbnSYIrftGZmmf79wCLcB/s1600/Brampton%2BBluebells%2B11%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful bluebells line a wooodland path at Brampton Wood in Cambridgeshire" border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54lndwsPT-o/WRNxh4Co1FI/AAAAAAAAK20/tLAdm3FxMIcNmooYHbnSYIrftGZmmf79wCLcB/s640/Brampton%2BBluebells%2B11%2B.jpg" title="A pathway through the bluebells at Brampton Wood" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The wood is home to around 340 plant and 500 fungi species, including of course, a healthy population of<br />bluebells in spring.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The trees are mostly oak, ash and field maple, and in the past the wood has been used for hazel poles, timber, and hay as well as oak bark for tanning. Virtually the entire wood was clear felled, probably during the First World War, and has since regenerated naturally by growth from old stumps and seeds. The site’s national importance was recognised in 1954 when it was declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4rCFBqJNJw/WRNxgvIwmvI/AAAAAAAAK2s/jLooIEvojcAI4kppSt1p1wgXSUwKl5s1ACLcB/s1600/Brampton%2BBluebells%2B08%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Brampton Wood bluebells lie beneath a bright green canopy of new leaves" border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4rCFBqJNJw/WRNxgvIwmvI/AAAAAAAAK2s/jLooIEvojcAI4kppSt1p1wgXSUwKl5s1ACLcB/s640/Brampton%2BBluebells%2B08%2B.jpg" title="Spring green leaves over a carpet of bluebells at Brampton Wood" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">New spring canopy above an indigo carpet.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPHdpl0uvDI/WRNxbnrJvWI/AAAAAAAAK3Q/gPzkuIBvcKELgL09BRcYpqqmJasftsX9gCPcB/s1600/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B06%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vibrant green and blue image in Brampton Wood Nature Reserve" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPHdpl0uvDI/WRNxbnrJvWI/AAAAAAAAK3Q/gPzkuIBvcKELgL09BRcYpqqmJasftsX9gCPcB/s640/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B06%2B.jpg" title="Spring oak leaves and bluebells at Brampton Wood" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't get enough of these colours.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNe19mQGCXc/WRNxk7h4a1I/AAAAAAAAK3E/dObvuN_lDHEZ5BF3-wDYHz58cl6xASUUACLcB/s1600/Rape%2BField%2BSweep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Clouds and sunshine over a bright yellow field of rape near Brampton Wood" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNe19mQGCXc/WRNxk7h4a1I/AAAAAAAAK3E/dObvuN_lDHEZ5BF3-wDYHz58cl6xASUUACLcB/s640/Rape%2BField%2BSweep.jpg" title="Curving edge of a yellow rape field in the Cambridgeshire countryside" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">As I was walking around the perimeter of the woods I spotted this golden rape field, so I squeezed through a<br />gap to get a photo.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8u2VHoagd2k/WRNxdxxLVmI/AAAAAAAAK2c/UDcidQytnKovXpiyTojVKjl1__dVZIfvgCLcB/s1600/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B07%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Bluebells cover the ground next to a woodland path in Cambridgeshire" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8u2VHoagd2k/WRNxdxxLVmI/AAAAAAAAK2c/UDcidQytnKovXpiyTojVKjl1__dVZIfvgCLcB/s640/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B07%2B.jpg" title="Sunshine on the bluebell carpet at Brampton Wood" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A bit of sunshine lights up the jewelled ground.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are over one and a half miles of woodland rides here, some are at least 200 years old. The creation of rides and glades mimic natural processes of fires and storms (such as the 1987 hurricane) which open up expanses of woodland to sunlight, allowing ground flora to flourish, taller grassland areas to thrive, and fallen trees to rot down. Thanks to this management, the wood has thriving colonies of black hairstreaks, one of Britain’s rarest butterflies. Brown argus, white admiral and purple hairstreak can also be spotted.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2MP7gw1ZRzc/WRNxaN2V32I/AAAAAAAAK2I/H1Fj6bRp9RcFRZyzwIYyTILSktRGN2nXwCLcB/s1600/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Shallow depth of field in a bluebell woodland with vibrant colours" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2MP7gw1ZRzc/WRNxaN2V32I/AAAAAAAAK2I/H1Fj6bRp9RcFRZyzwIYyTILSktRGN2nXwCLcB/s640/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Bright blue bluebells litter the woodland floor at Brampton Wood" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A dense crop of flowers.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QmRfaNuTC4/WRNxk_X1oYI/AAAAAAAAK3A/jDwK0D2HdzcZwOYiGlMkVYG2b-KLJT7rwCLcB/s1600/Gnarled%2BWoodland%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="A tangle of trees in the Brampton Wood Nature Reserve " border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QmRfaNuTC4/WRNxk_X1oYI/AAAAAAAAK3A/jDwK0D2HdzcZwOYiGlMkVYG2b-KLJT7rwCLcB/s640/Gnarled%2BWoodland%2B.jpg" title="Gnarled old trees at Brampton Wood in Cambridgeshire" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">These gnarled old trees sit on top of an enormous badger sett, constructed over many years by opportunist<br />badgers in a World War 1 shooting practice mound.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XXQ-P4wJVf0/WRNxZC1BtbI/AAAAAAAAK18/ikhBJVW1cPQRYlXMKx7jS6FwUrfBa7iSACLcB/s1600/Badger%2BSet%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Brampton Wood badger set with green foliage and gnarled trees" border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XXQ-P4wJVf0/WRNxZC1BtbI/AAAAAAAAK18/ikhBJVW1cPQRYlXMKx7jS6FwUrfBa7iSACLcB/s640/Badger%2BSet%2B.jpg" title="Twisted trees and green nettles over a badger set" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of the many entrances to the sett.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I was blundering around getting some shots, I obviously disturbed the inhabitants, and a young badger poked his head up to see what all the noise was about. He wasn't around long enough for me to get a shot, but it was the first live badger I'd ever seen, so I was pretty chuffed, even though it was just a fleeting acquaintance. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJqQT4duLLw/WRNxa_kCyHI/AAAAAAAAK2M/iBHwl9azL8oUZtjPzbwqaKgFHs7haB9dwCLcB/s1600/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Brampton Wood bluebells in shallow focus with a white bell in macro" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJqQT4duLLw/WRNxa_kCyHI/AAAAAAAAK2M/iBHwl9azL8oUZtjPzbwqaKgFHs7haB9dwCLcB/s1600/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B04%2B.jpg" title="White bell close up in a bluebell woodland" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A white bell conspicuous amongst all the blue.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-608motDNc/WRNxeXVNusI/AAAAAAAAK2k/Mg0xhH9xW3U-tVXzZ4Ef4tch9KfE-vGaQCLcB/s1600/Brampton%2BBluebells%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Bluebells and a fallen branch in this macro shot from Brampton Wood" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-608motDNc/WRNxeXVNusI/AAAAAAAAK2k/Mg0xhH9xW3U-tVXzZ4Ef4tch9KfE-vGaQCLcB/s1600/Brampton%2BBluebells%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Colourful bluebells taken in close up at Brampton Wood" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love the vibrant colours this time of year.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvUpxP43iPQ/WRNxdrQJegI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/rQhxF9RQexQcu8QKHJid0eqWyYdZVTPiwCLcB/s1600/Brampton%2BBluebells%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Close up image of bluebells on the woodland floor in Brampton Wood" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvUpxP43iPQ/WRNxdrQJegI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/rQhxF9RQexQcu8QKHJid0eqWyYdZVTPiwCLcB/s1600/Brampton%2BBluebells%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Ground view of vibrant bluebells at Brampton Wood" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A view from the perspective of the woodland inhabitants.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSlTCyal_g4/WRNxZjECuKI/AAAAAAAAK2A/ilP9ZtBs_PsVX03eGo_a19qbk1vsHhpOwCLcB/s1600/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Vibrant blues and greens of a spring woodland in Brampton Wood Nature Reserve" border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSlTCyal_g4/WRNxZjECuKI/AAAAAAAAK2A/ilP9ZtBs_PsVX03eGo_a19qbk1vsHhpOwCLcB/s640/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Bluebells scattered over the ground at Brampton Wood" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A jumble of greens and blues stretching into the distance.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8qZLHcMC9I/WRNxbYo5xRI/AAAAAAAAK2Q/LrNWDWi81u4S3PJis20GdHVrG2CG6SurgCLcB/s1600/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B05%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Brampton Wood bluebells in spring line a small woodland track" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8qZLHcMC9I/WRNxbYo5xRI/AAAAAAAAK2Q/LrNWDWi81u4S3PJis20GdHVrG2CG6SurgCLcB/s640/Bluebells%2Bat%2BBrampton%2B05%2B.jpg" title="Winding path through a thick carpet of bluebells" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of the many little paths that traverse the wood.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7q7hjOe0KX4/WRNxfuAZyqI/AAAAAAAAK2o/ueAHHMquOOkUmBtIuVKmIGT7ApIqY4hrwCLcB/s1600/Brampton%2BBluebells%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Brampton Wood Nature Reserve woodland spring bluebells" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7q7hjOe0KX4/WRNxfuAZyqI/AAAAAAAAK2o/ueAHHMquOOkUmBtIuVKmIGT7ApIqY4hrwCLcB/s640/Brampton%2BBluebells%2B04%2B.jpg" title="Trees rise above a carpet of bluebells in Brampton Wood" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Squashed bluebells.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately some areas had been trampled down, whether by people of dogs it was hard to say, although I did see quite a few 'paths' obviously made by people, leaving a trail of crushed flowers. Which is a shame, and unnecessary, as bluebells are very sensitive to disturbance, and take several years to recover once they have been damaged.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBjSETcEcM8/WRNxhimKZkI/AAAAAAAAK2w/HKgD544WUEcXpV3yrHY9L7doiwtQiuEMgCLcB/s1600/Brampton%2BBluebells%2B06%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Brampton Wood Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire full of bluebells" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBjSETcEcM8/WRNxhimKZkI/AAAAAAAAK2w/HKgD544WUEcXpV3yrHY9L7doiwtQiuEMgCLcB/s640/Brampton%2BBluebells%2B06%2B.jpg" title="A tangle of branches over a vibrant spray of bluebells in spring" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">While it's nice to have some sun on the flowers, their colour really pops when they are in shade.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JYIkMh47WeA/WRNxlbOpstI/AAAAAAAAK3I/08KZSfCVVCYbEEfqDdLPr7mabMXdHpkzgCLcB/s1600/Wind%2BTurbines%2Bx%2B3%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Bright yellow rape field in the afternoon sunshine with wind turbines and a brooding sky" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JYIkMh47WeA/WRNxlbOpstI/AAAAAAAAK3I/08KZSfCVVCYbEEfqDdLPr7mabMXdHpkzgCLcB/s640/Wind%2BTurbines%2Bx%2B3%2B.jpg" title="Three wind turbines in a rape field under a stormy sky" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">On the way out I took the opportunity to get a couple of shots of these huge wind turbines in a rape field.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UM1gcDUqd0/WRNxllAagZI/AAAAAAAAK3M/DRE9cjZfx6Mbhv1p4s523_e0fPaZqY3XQCLcB/s1600/Wind%2BTurbines%2Bx%2B4%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Dramatic landscape of wind turbines in a yellow field under a sky full of storm clouds" border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UM1gcDUqd0/WRNxllAagZI/AAAAAAAAK3M/DRE9cjZfx6Mbhv1p4s523_e0fPaZqY3XQCLcB/s640/Wind%2BTurbines%2Bx%2B4%2B.jpg" title="Stormy sky over wind turbines and a yellow rape field" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The stormy clouds and late afternoon sunshine seemed to work well with these impressive structures. </span></td></tr>
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<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com1Brampton Wood Nature Reserve, Brampton Rd, Brampton, Saint Neots PE19 5UQ, UK52.3136269 -0.263944499999979626.545859900000004 -41.572538499999979 78.0813939 41.04464950000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-28121845138571030122017-04-23T18:32:00.001+01:002017-04-23T18:32:51.703+01:00Wicken Fen windmill at sunset<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-35ha5f2UIME/WPou4eCN1mI/AAAAAAAAKVM/my6d6wHx6A4-x5DT0x5gezShdSiQTHHxACLcB/s1600/Wicken%2BFen%2BWater%2BPump%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="National Trust Wicken Fen wind pump under pastel clouds at sunset" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-35ha5f2UIME/WPou4eCN1mI/AAAAAAAAKVM/my6d6wHx6A4-x5DT0x5gezShdSiQTHHxACLcB/s640/Wicken%2BFen%2BWater%2BPump%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Wicken Fen wind pump at sunset" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I recently took a little trip to Wicken Fen for a spot of sunset photography, with a view to getting some shots of the iconic wind pump that stands proud amongst this wetland landscape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Wicken Fen nature reserve is Britain's oldest nature reserve and is one of Europe's most important wetlands, home to over 9000 recorded species including many rare plants, birds and dragonflies. It was the first reserve cared for by the National Trust, starting in 1899. It includes fenland, farmland, marsh, and reedbeds, and is one of only four wild fens which still survive in the enormous Great Fen Basin area of East Anglia, where 99.9% of the former fens have now been replaced by arable cultivation.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9tDibP7QQE/WPou45ZqOEI/AAAAAAAAKVg/d3Nm9ullLOY7XuAtlW9x6kZ0FHXVMvPPgCPcB/s1600/Wicken%2BFen%2BWater%2BPump%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Wooden wind pump at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve in the East Anglian Fens" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9tDibP7QQE/WPou45ZqOEI/AAAAAAAAKVg/d3Nm9ullLOY7XuAtlW9x6kZ0FHXVMvPPgCPcB/s640/Wicken%2BFen%2BWater%2BPump%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Windmill at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wispy clouds above the 100 year old wind pump, that is still in use during the summer months.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The present appearance of Wicken Fen is the result of centuries of management by human beings. Many of the practices now undertaken have changed little since medieval times. In surrounding areas, the landscape has changed so completely that it is almost impossible to imagine how it must once have all looked. Only a very few places survive where it is possible to experience this primitive landscape first hand; Wicken Fen is one of these.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2Gco6We3m8/WPou4odk6xI/AAAAAAAAKVQ/faEGFR1_vpsTRWIT5X7zl3bmnKRwIWhdQCLcB/s1600/Wicken%2BFen%2BWater%2BPump%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Dusk over the windmill at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve " border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2Gco6We3m8/WPou4odk6xI/AAAAAAAAKVQ/faEGFR1_vpsTRWIT5X7zl3bmnKRwIWhdQCLcB/s1600/Wicken%2BFen%2BWater%2BPump%2B02.jpg" title="Wind pump at Wicken Fen reflected in water" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The wind pump is reflected in one of the drainage channels.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For example, the sedge plant is still harvested every year and sold for thatching roofs. The first recorded sedge harvest at Wicken was in 1414, and ever since then, sedge has been regularly cut. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Fen has been long associated with natural history. Charles Darwin collected beetles on the site in the 1820s. Many eminent Victorian naturalists collected beetles, moths and butterflies at Wicken Fen, and some of their collections can still be found in major museums. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYDKPo_QdEo/WPou5pkyaQI/AAAAAAAAKVc/KBQ0pq_qEeoC0gz-n4yQdPhr3TvVEDwjACEw/s1600/Wicken%2BFen%2BWater%2BPump%2B05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sunset colours over the wind pump at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYDKPo_QdEo/WPou5pkyaQI/AAAAAAAAKVc/KBQ0pq_qEeoC0gz-n4yQdPhr3TvVEDwjACEw/s640/Wicken%2BFen%2BWater%2BPump%2B05.jpg" title="Wicken Fen iconic wind pump in the East Anglian Fens" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A piece of history sits among the ancient fenland.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wicken Fen features the last surviving wooden windpump in the Fens. It is a small smock wind pump, which was probably built about 1912 at Adventurers' Fen for land drainage. The pump was moved to its present site and restored in 1956 by the National Trust. The Windpump now pumps water from the drainage channel up into the Fen to maintain a high water table.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EVEKy5uex8/WPou5ZTOX8I/AAAAAAAAKVY/q9MadvFQOjYxFJ4_fKa8kHe7KYkh_ZwyQCLcB/s1600/Wicken%2BFen%2BWater%2BPump%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Wooden windmill at Wicken Fen at dusk in the East Anglian Fens" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EVEKy5uex8/WPou5ZTOX8I/AAAAAAAAKVY/q9MadvFQOjYxFJ4_fKa8kHe7KYkh_ZwyQCLcB/s640/Wicken%2BFen%2BWater%2BPump%2B04%2B.jpg" title="Pink clouds above Wicken Fen Nature Reserve wind pump" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This part of the nature reserve can be explored via a boardwalk created from recycled plastic.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ic-pyk4w2CY/WPzhmq1cOcI/AAAAAAAAKZk/TAwGjqHQc5M4R-ExJl8QoGZQWUPzFvczwCLcB/s1600/Sedge%2BFen%2BSunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sedge Fen at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve at sunset" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ic-pyk4w2CY/WPzhmq1cOcI/AAAAAAAAKZk/TAwGjqHQc5M4R-ExJl8QoGZQWUPzFvczwCLcB/s640/Sedge%2BFen%2BSunset.jpg" title="Sun sets over the ancient Sedge Fen at Wicken Fen" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking over the ancient Sedge Fen, very much a view into the past, as the sun starts to set.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Lode Ln, Wicken, Ely CB7 5XP, UK52.3105572 0.2912959000000228126.788522699999998 -41.017298099999977 77.8325917 41.599889900000022tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-21842815071684385642017-04-20T18:47:00.002+01:002017-04-20T18:47:36.812+01:00Grand Pier at sunset in Weston-Super-Mare<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMGn998AG0M/WPjhbzEgNoI/AAAAAAAAKUw/jPACyyO-YbYkk--QI7T4lYTNCjaoxvxOQCLcB/s1600/Grand%2BPier%2BSunset%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sunset colours over the Grand Pier on the beach at Weston-Super-Mare" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMGn998AG0M/WPjhbzEgNoI/AAAAAAAAKUw/jPACyyO-YbYkk--QI7T4lYTNCjaoxvxOQCLcB/s640/Grand%2BPier%2BSunset%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Grand Pier at sunset in Weston-Super-Mare" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had reason to be in Weston-Super-Mare recently, not something you hear often, but that is where I found myself nonetheless. And thankfully I had my camera with me, so I took the opportunity to head down to the beach for sunset, hoping to get some shots of the Grand Pier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The pier is privately owned and is supported by 600 iron piles, and is 400 metres long. It has been damaged by fire on two occasions, in 1930 and 2008. Following the 2008 fire, which completely destroyed the pavilion, the pier was rebuilt and and reopened in October 2010.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Grand Pier was originally constructed in 1904, and featured a 2,000 seat theatre which was used as a music hall for opera, stage plays and ballet. After the original pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1930 a new pavilion was built in 1933, which housed a large, undercover fun fair. In 1974 the pier became a Grade II listed building.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMf1Rko3yvA/WPjhcCOB6DI/AAAAAAAAKU0/fpSSb536i3sm37MMjOAHGBwbHI3JVCY4QCLcB/s1600/Grand%2BPier%2BSunset%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Sunset light reflects on the wet sand at the Grand Pier in Weston-Super-Mare" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMf1Rko3yvA/WPjhcCOB6DI/AAAAAAAAKU0/fpSSb536i3sm37MMjOAHGBwbHI3JVCY4QCLcB/s640/Grand%2BPier%2BSunset%2B02.jpg" title="Stormy clouds at Weston-Super-Mare over the Grand Pier" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Grand Pier in all its glory.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thankfully the sunset did not disappoint, even though there was a skyful of tempestuous clouds looming over the proceedings, they allowed the setting sun to work its fiery majesty below their flanks, and as the tide had just recently departed, the wet sand reflected the flaming display a treat. The conditions could not have been better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The following few pictures show the variances in light as the retiring sun gave way to the onset of gloaming, and made my trip to Weston worthwhile.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9aMT_Ds0qo/WPjhb9w9ifI/AAAAAAAAKUs/fvosqgV7KSYTLV86CTCpUz5CWuYaS5LYwCLcB/s1600/Grand%2BPier%2BSunset%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Weston-Super-Mare Grand Pier in a long exposure image at sunset" border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9aMT_Ds0qo/WPjhb9w9ifI/AAAAAAAAKUs/fvosqgV7KSYTLV86CTCpUz5CWuYaS5LYwCLcB/s640/Grand%2BPier%2BSunset%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Warm evening light in Weston-Super-Mare on the west coast" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As the sun dipped, the atmosphere took on a rosy glow.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rO8kqEu7H8U/WPjhcxp-6nI/AAAAAAAAKU8/LTmHPJ_c4rs7bQ0svWYbpzpR1WOXJOcnQCLcB/s1600/Grand%2BPier%2BSunset%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Evening sunshine below storm clouds over Weston-Super-Mare and the Grand Pier" border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rO8kqEu7H8U/WPjhcxp-6nI/AAAAAAAAKU8/LTmHPJ_c4rs7bQ0svWYbpzpR1WOXJOcnQCLcB/s640/Grand%2BPier%2BSunset%2B04%2B.jpg" title="Twilight behind the Grand Pier at Weston-Super-Mare" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With the sun quickly disappearing, a cool hue descended over the beach.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZl_bYGeRy0/WPjhc1afVPI/AAAAAAAAKU4/mgQGZIcN-Yo_b99SwFcasPJ_8WwV1GwHACLcB/s1600/Grand%2BPier%2BSunset%2B05%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Long exposure image of stormy clouds over the Grand Pier in Weston-Super-Mare" border="0" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZl_bYGeRy0/WPjhc1afVPI/AAAAAAAAKU4/mgQGZIcN-Yo_b99SwFcasPJ_8WwV1GwHACLcB/s640/Grand%2BPier%2BSunset%2B05%2B.jpg" title="Weston-Super-Mare Grand Pier and sunset colours" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A long exposure of the slowly travelling cloud cover and fading light.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com1Weston-super-Mare, UK51.347823383180987 -2.986307144165039151.342864383180988 -2.9963921441650392 51.352782383180987 -2.9762221441650389tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-80078209277575393052017-04-13T21:26:00.000+01:002017-04-13T21:40:21.000+01:00Dorset day 4 - A surprising sunrise and a host of tall trees<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nq6_qohu8xM/WO54tzPhfGI/AAAAAAAAKLE/TsQq-r709hEz1RtRdLvIH9ziLQ_psSUCgCLcB/s1600/Banjo%2BPier%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful colours above Banjo Pier in Swanage Dorset" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nq6_qohu8xM/WO54tzPhfGI/AAAAAAAAKLE/TsQq-r709hEz1RtRdLvIH9ziLQ_psSUCgCLcB/s640/Banjo%2BPier%2B.jpg" title="Sunrise clouds over Swanage pier" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My last day in Dorset and I wanted to make the most of it, so I was up before the sun, with a view to getting some shots of the headland at Peveril Point. The weather did not look especially inspiring as I made my way through Swanage town and parked in the upper car park overlooking the piers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Retrieving my gear from the car, my expectations were not exactly emboldened as the rain began to steadily fall. So I decided against taking the walk to the Point, as the conditions, as well as being determined to turn me into a soggy flannel, were opaque to say the least. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvd4SrNwA3E/WO547iC7WFI/AAAAAAAAKMQ/JBLn9gKFjAM55OaSp9vf56aIRU_L1Ns_ACLcB/s1600/Swanage%2BPiers%2Bin%2Bthe%2BMist%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Cliffs obscured by sea mist with Swanage piers in the foreground" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvd4SrNwA3E/WO547iC7WFI/AAAAAAAAKMQ/JBLn9gKFjAM55OaSp9vf56aIRU_L1Ns_ACLcB/s640/Swanage%2BPiers%2Bin%2Bthe%2BMist%2B.jpg" title="Foggy morning over Dorset coast at Swanage" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The view from the car park, towards the old and new piers, and hidden in the bleary soup are the cliffs of <br />the Jurassic Coast.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I didn't want to return to the lodgings, as I had made the effort to get out, plus, doing so would have admitted defeat, and you cannot reveal a feebleness of character to Mother Nature, it's a recipe for disaster, and believe me when I tell you, it will haunt you for the rest of your days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Instead, I drove back down to the seafront and stopped at Banjo Pier. This little pier was built as part of a scheme to alleviate the problems Swanage has historically had with flooding. At the end of the pier is an outflow pipe, that during periods of heavy rain, releases the waters of the River Swanbrook which runs under the town, out into the ocean. It also happens to look quite nice.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYL22jK2WD0/WO54t4FA-bI/AAAAAAAAKLA/Dhn_dLG1Vxw-OARQLRWX1lWuDeLabslAACLcB/s1600/Banjo%2BPier%2BSunrise%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Swanage Banjo Pier at sunrise with colourful clouds in Dorset" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYL22jK2WD0/WO54t4FA-bI/AAAAAAAAKLA/Dhn_dLG1Vxw-OARQLRWX1lWuDeLabslAACLcB/s1600/Banjo%2BPier%2BSunrise%2B.jpg" title="Colourful sky above empty pier in Swanage" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking along the pier, under a lavender sky.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In an arresting example of how quickly conditions can change, by the time I had got myself set up on the pier, the mist had lifted and the clouds were beginning to part, revealing some plum dawn colour into the sky. Which as the minutes passed by, transformed into the warm orange glow of a morning worth getting up for.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-ceYS6TQeo/WO54t7UARLI/AAAAAAAAKLI/O1wJD6T5KlM6s33s-GRZxC9o8zQqbZ92gCLcB/s1600/Dawn%2BNext%2Bto%2Bthe%2BPier%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful clouds at sunrise with waves lapping onto Swanage beach " border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-ceYS6TQeo/WO54t7UARLI/AAAAAAAAKLI/O1wJD6T5KlM6s33s-GRZxC9o8zQqbZ92gCLcB/s640/Dawn%2BNext%2Bto%2Bthe%2BPier%2B.jpg" title="Sunrise over Swanage beach in Dorset" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking towards the pier from the beach, as the conditions continued to improve, the colours of daybreak <br />reflected onto the wet sand.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Erj2ScGCYW0/WO54uqoviGI/AAAAAAAAKLM/ilOJSJvkA8AbuvodQocVIqNuCOXogHPxgCLcB/s1600/Dawn%2BSurf%2BReflection%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful sunrise clouds over Swanage beach on the Jurassic coast" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Erj2ScGCYW0/WO54uqoviGI/AAAAAAAAKLM/ilOJSJvkA8AbuvodQocVIqNuCOXogHPxgCLcB/s1600/Dawn%2BSurf%2BReflection%2B.jpg" title="Swanage beach reflects warm sunrise colours" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">With the clouds breaking up a treat, I was unsurprisingly glad that I had hung around <br />for a bit longer.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once the morning was well underway, I left the seafront behind and returned to the accommodation to get some breakfast, and to pack up. I had a hankering to visit Chapman's Pool, which I had not been to before and would provide me with a picturesque walk. Especially now that the weather was a lot more clement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I sploshed my way into the muddy little car park for Chapman's Pool with sheets of rain, carried on howling winds, lashing my car like an angry headmaster doling out punishment to errant boys. This was decidedly not clement at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a while the rain ceased, and although it didn't exactly brighten up, I was soon walking/slithering over marshy ground towards the cliff edge, where a footpath should take me down to the diminutive cove below.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fm4ZpJQJYXU/WO55CJMl85I/AAAAAAAAKMU/BmMBytUoor4A8XiQn57QbqYPDm3klmfuwCLcB/s1600/Steps%2Bto%2BChapmans%2BPool%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Jurassic coastline around Chapman's pool under a cloudy sky in Dorset" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fm4ZpJQJYXU/WO55CJMl85I/AAAAAAAAKMU/BmMBytUoor4A8XiQn57QbqYPDm3klmfuwCLcB/s640/Steps%2Bto%2BChapmans%2BPool%2B.jpg" title="Chapman's Pool from above on the Dorset coast" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">You can't actually see Chapman's Cove from this vantage point, the steps in the foreground lead down there, <br />the path I took dropped down from the ridge on the left. In hindsight, the steps would have been the <br />better option.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once I'd reached the coast, and admired the view along its undulating stretch of tumbling cliff faces, I started to ascend the path. I had decided to take the steep and narrow pathway through the vegetation, rather than the steps, as it seemed a more direct approach. It was certainly more direct, but rather slippery, and once I was out onto exposed ground, the ever steepening terrain and buffeting winds did not help my efforts in any way. Let's just say I became very aware of 400 foot drop below me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I probably got about half way down before the rain began to fall again, as did my enthusiasm for the whole enterprise, plus I could see that the tide was very much in, so even if I did get down there, I wouldn't exactly have much of an area to explore. Deciding my time could be better spent elsewhere, and to be honest, not feeling particularly disappointed about failing to complete the journey, I clambered about 200 foot back up the greasy soil and headed to the car.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Coxh4e3aq8o/WO54w7n4UxI/AAAAAAAAKLQ/k8HmCkQgKrUazDB9_hX5zIx5xAP1HYwuQCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Woodland path over a small bridge in the New Forest National Park" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Coxh4e3aq8o/WO54w7n4UxI/AAAAAAAAKLQ/k8HmCkQgKrUazDB9_hX5zIx5xAP1HYwuQCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Wooden bridge in the New Forest Hampshire" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A wooden bridge that marks the beginning of the walk around this particularly spectacular part of the forest.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once I had dried off a bit, I left Dorset behind and found my way into Hampshire. I was going to visit the always splendid New Forest for the afternoon. A prospect far more inviting than the lubricious terrain of the Dorset coast that day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was going to take a stroll around the Tall Trees Trail, which is exactly what you would imagine it to be. Parking at Blackwater, I set off with camera in hand, hoping to get pictures of </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">some</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">majestic trees, I was not disappointed.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdJBL8hLnDc/WO54wyn7bDI/AAAAAAAAKLU/MuLoHDxtfnIXfffUuqE1k0fgz_TqTq-6QCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Trunks of giant trees in the New Forest National Park in Hampshire" border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdJBL8hLnDc/WO54wyn7bDI/AAAAAAAAKLU/MuLoHDxtfnIXfffUuqE1k0fgz_TqTq-6QCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Giant redwoods on the Tall Trees trail in the New Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Trunks of some of the Redwoods that can be found along the trail.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Many of the trees were planted in 1859 when the occupants of the wonderfully gothic looking Rhinefield House, once a private country mansion built in the second half of the nineteenth century, but now a hotel, wanted some exotic varieties to line the carriageway to their home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Trees that can be seen here include some of the tallest and oldest Douglas Firs in the country, plus some very impressive Redwoods. In fact the tallest Redwood in England at 110 metres, stands among many other massive specimens. And considering that these are only 150 years old, and can reach ages of over 3000 years old, they still have quite a bit of growing left to do.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eBLP2OIReNY/WO54xFz2R3I/AAAAAAAAKLY/zl3OSsqFhpYApr-0L5CZ7X4KOSbfZfvVACLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="New forest trees tower over a couple walking below them" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eBLP2OIReNY/WO54xFz2R3I/AAAAAAAAKLY/zl3OSsqFhpYApr-0L5CZ7X4KOSbfZfvVACLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Two people walk beneath huge trees in the New Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A couple are dwarfed by the surrounding trees.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_2tf0w6Dic/WO54zpqaN6I/AAAAAAAAKLg/GXtdMEqHPhcyBP8bcJqPQKWGmhdFcxPRwCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B04%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="New Forest National Park trail next to giant towering trees" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_2tf0w6Dic/WO54zpqaN6I/AAAAAAAAKLg/GXtdMEqHPhcyBP8bcJqPQKWGmhdFcxPRwCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B04%2B.jpg" title="Redwoods and Douglas Firs in the New Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Redwoods and Firs.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Jx9SpnuQIc/WO54zIvf9lI/AAAAAAAAKLc/QEOIzl141hIRar-5yPUelHfCSm8lCCBTQCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B05%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Different varieties of trees in the New Forest National Park in Hampshire" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Jx9SpnuQIc/WO54zIvf9lI/AAAAAAAAKLc/QEOIzl141hIRar-5yPUelHfCSm8lCCBTQCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B05%2B.jpg" title="A collection of trees along the Tall Tree Trail in the New Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There is very little ground vegetation thanks to the shade the huge canopies cast over the soil below.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeYMRiquKSM/WO54zhXw1XI/AAAAAAAAKLk/r7T_JdSHCYM_s2KPwDrT0j4aDMKv-6oTwCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B06%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Soft green canopy of a large fir tree along the Tall Tree Trail in the New Forest" border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeYMRiquKSM/WO54zhXw1XI/AAAAAAAAKLk/r7T_JdSHCYM_s2KPwDrT0j4aDMKv-6oTwCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B06%2B.jpg" title="Fir trees in the New Forest National Park" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Although the day was overcast, the soft even light created quite an atmosphere among these grand giants. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RWQRgpLn1E/WO541D4fIaI/AAAAAAAAKLo/KUj-Ti5elaYj3WM31nFzaADrGpMDr5j1QCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B07%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="A small lane curves below a towering canopy of giant trees in the New Forest National Park" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RWQRgpLn1E/WO541D4fIaI/AAAAAAAAKLo/KUj-Ti5elaYj3WM31nFzaADrGpMDr5j1QCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B07%2B.jpg" title="An empty road winds beneath giant trees in the New Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A small road that winds its way beneath the shade of the trees.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6OvjVQSRdU/WO542RxIHDI/AAAAAAAAKLw/WUDtjiNDk5Eb4jyR7YX5yGA3Pq31UT5xQCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B08%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Lone tree with a soft background of forest colours in the Hampshire National Park" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6OvjVQSRdU/WO542RxIHDI/AAAAAAAAKLw/WUDtjiNDk5Eb4jyR7YX5yGA3Pq31UT5xQCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B08%2B.jpg" title="A single curved tree trunk in the New Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Where light could get through, ferns and moss covered the ground.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ib0GnqvWLws/WO542cJ7AUI/AAAAAAAAKLs/JLsAAj6EFxMG7eUzN4EgJyGhknqKBqN2gCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B09%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="New Forest National Park gravel path winds beneath large fir trees" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ib0GnqvWLws/WO542cJ7AUI/AAAAAAAAKLs/JLsAAj6EFxMG7eUzN4EgJyGhknqKBqN2gCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B09%2B.jpg" title="Giant New Forest National Park trees next to a path" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A drooping branch of a Douglas Fir.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5UX2gc5kZ4/WO542zbdaiI/AAAAAAAAKL0/E9XTb6vGgZUwSWfnTSi6frjc6lhw7e4mgCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B10%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="A couple walk along the Tall Tree Trail beneath giant Redwoods" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5UX2gc5kZ4/WO542zbdaiI/AAAAAAAAKL0/E9XTb6vGgZUwSWfnTSi6frjc6lhw7e4mgCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B10%2B.jpg" title="People are dwarfed by giant trees in the New Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Giant Redwoods dominate sections of the trail.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8b-YN_EDBjo/WO545ZmehCI/AAAAAAAAKL8/o_zdE6DtG40vyEyXUTK-1lMHvacm6onegCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B11%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Three green trees in the New Forest National Park on an overcast day" border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8b-YN_EDBjo/WO545ZmehCI/AAAAAAAAKL8/o_zdE6DtG40vyEyXUTK-1lMHvacm6onegCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B11%2B.jpg" title="Moss covered trees under soft light in the New Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Three trees covered in moss.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmBYf3QkAIQ/WO545JOJrII/AAAAAAAAKL4/x9J99aK-LHEp_ky4lVbsVFFWB4gyA3wJwCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B12%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Soft light surrounds these strangely shaped trees in the New Forest National Park" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmBYf3QkAIQ/WO545JOJrII/AAAAAAAAKL4/x9J99aK-LHEp_ky4lVbsVFFWB4gyA3wJwCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B12%2B.jpg" title="Atmospheric image of curved trees in the New Forest" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Strangely shaped trees with a thick background of vegetation.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-22B8ZQkr42U/WO545ZcqkoI/AAAAAAAAKMA/LfY1MJBff7AXWt1PapzMJtQFupDkkvpcwCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B13%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Blackwater Tall Trees Trail with wooden fence in the New Forest" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-22B8ZQkr42U/WO545ZcqkoI/AAAAAAAAKMA/LfY1MJBff7AXWt1PapzMJtQFupDkkvpcwCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B13%2B.jpg" title="Tall trees in the New Forest National Park" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A wooden fence and a tangle of tree life.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRe5Js7I-f8/WO547TftrjI/AAAAAAAAKMI/VqwEwcTody8RC8xZrxpuiwV1Ychp0uQCgCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B14%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Image of multiple straight tree trunks in the New Forest National Park in Hampshire" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRe5Js7I-f8/WO547TftrjI/AAAAAAAAKMI/VqwEwcTody8RC8xZrxpuiwV1Ychp0uQCgCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B14%2B.jpg" title="Many tree trunks from the Blackwater Tall Trees Trail" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A jumble of trunks.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nme4COsCTx4/WO547PujxDI/AAAAAAAAKME/IE8ECTsvz_YU1Cxzj3_kQ1ww6R2p_oqwACLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B15%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Single green tree trunk on the Blackwater Tall Trees Trail in the New Forest" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nme4COsCTx4/WO547PujxDI/AAAAAAAAKME/IE8ECTsvz_YU1Cxzj3_kQ1ww6R2p_oqwACLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2B15%2B.jpg" title="Moss covered tree in front of fir tree foliage in the New Forest" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A very verdant scene.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0uO4VbBYgz8/WO547fMqz1I/AAAAAAAAKMM/4pTSvwv5dR0yx9txEoO4_SVYfSZlB3o_gCLcB/s1600/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2BPanorama%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Panorama of giant trees on the Blackwater Tall Trees Trail in the New Forest" border="0" height="195" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0uO4VbBYgz8/WO547fMqz1I/AAAAAAAAKMM/4pTSvwv5dR0yx9txEoO4_SVYfSZlB3o_gCLcB/s640/New%2BForest%2BTall%2BTrees%2BPanorama%2B.jpg" title="Panoramic image of giant trees in the New Forest National Park" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Panorama of Redwoods.<br />To see the image bigger just click on it.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had planned to visit Blackwater Arboretum, but I'd spent so long among the giants that the day was fast drawing to a close, so I packed up my stuff and headed back to the regular world with another entry on my ever growing list of places to visit again.</span><br />
<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com0New Forest District, UK50.877044231111014 -1.631469726562550.716797231111016 -1.9541932265625 51.037291231111013 -1.3087462265625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1906435762799912086.post-6692472441865695742017-04-06T21:54:00.001+01:002017-04-06T21:54:03.257+01:00Dorset day 3 part two - The remarkable Agglestone and a beautiful pine forest<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HGGX-xMGLLQ/WOVd5zlEahI/AAAAAAAAKHU/GzfZwUvow1YirwJlq4poILgXSNOx-D7wgCLcB/s1600/Pine%2BTrunks%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Rows of huge pine trees topped with an emerald canopy at Studland Bay" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HGGX-xMGLLQ/WOVd5zlEahI/AAAAAAAAKHU/GzfZwUvow1YirwJlq4poILgXSNOx-D7wgCLcB/s640/Pine%2BTrunks%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Studland Bay pine forest in Dorset" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Following on from my morning jaunt around Studland Bay Nature Reserve, we return to the action, and I use that word in the loosest possible sense, among the moorland of Black Heath. I didn't have a particular destination in mind, I was just out for a walk to see what I could see, when I spied a large outcrop in the distance that seemed too incongruous for it's surroundings to be ignored.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My curiosity sufficiently piqued, I changed course, and following one of the pathways that snake their way over the undulating landscape, I headed towards it. I didn't know it at the time, it was only later when I did a bit of research that I found out all about it, but I was bearing towards Agglestone Rock, also known as the Devil's Anvil, or the Devil's nightcap.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wE_5Fl_EtUg/WOVd1E7pRII/AAAAAAAAKG4/KHVVM-xoyCcbTVj1Br5cAm22NDNE5iwCACLcB/s1600/Black%2BHeath%2BSteps%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Pathway through the heathland on the Dorset coast in Studland" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wE_5Fl_EtUg/WOVd1E7pRII/AAAAAAAAKG4/KHVVM-xoyCcbTVj1Br5cAm22NDNE5iwCACLcB/s1600/Black%2BHeath%2BSteps%2B.jpg" title="Steps leading towards Agglestone at Studland Bay" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Steps leading down to boggy marshland, with Agglestone in the distance.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tO1Nh7YOn6k/WOVd0kePsGI/AAAAAAAAKG0/cwkQt7XVjnIEo0Z3yYs6APs_lnO6zKr8gCLcB/s1600/Agglestone%2BSummit%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Agglestone on a hill in Black Heath on the Dorset coast in this moody image" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tO1Nh7YOn6k/WOVd0kePsGI/AAAAAAAAKG0/cwkQt7XVjnIEo0Z3yYs6APs_lnO6zKr8gCLcB/s640/Agglestone%2BSummit%2B.jpg" title="Black and white image of Agglestone under a cloudy sky" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking up to the stone from the bottom of the hill on which it sits.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Agglestone Rock is a 20 foot high block of </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">sandstone, weighing in at</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">around 400 tonnes, perched on a natural 90 foot high conical hill. It is said the Devil was sitting on The Needles on the Isle of White when he saw Corfe Castle being built. He was so offended by the beautiful white tower of the Norman keep that he threw his cap at it, hence the Devil's Nightcap alias, the missile fell short however, and became the Agglestone. He could also have been aiming at Salisbury Cathedral, or Bindon Abbey among other targets, depending on which account you read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It gets its moniker of the Devil's Anvil, because it was originally anvil shaped, but it has been gradually eroded away over many thousands of years by natural forces, and in the 1970's it toppled over onto its side. You can see a picture of it <a href="https://thejournalofantiquities.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/the-agglestone-2x2.jpg" target="_blank">here</a>, taken in the early 1900's when it was still upstanding. The name Agglestone could be a derivation of Eagle Stone, or possibly Wobble Stone because 'aggle' is the local word for wobble or wobbly.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HIIL-tUwIr8/WOVdzaCU2LI/AAAAAAAAKGo/PxNT8NoA8OUVNkFpfr35sUnmmBe5vZvnQCLcB/s1600/Agglestone%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Giant rock of Agglestone at Studland on the Dorset coast" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HIIL-tUwIr8/WOVdzaCU2LI/AAAAAAAAKGo/PxNT8NoA8OUVNkFpfr35sUnmmBe5vZvnQCLcB/s640/Agglestone%2B01%2B.jpg" title="The remarkable Agglestone rock at Studland Bay" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Up close, the rock is even stranger than it is from a distance.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSBfc7N2H-A/WOVdzr1ncMI/AAAAAAAAKGs/i4iMwTIGLfwX2RYJhRtJkDIt3zqFoc2UwCLcB/s1600/Agglestone%2B02%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Black Heath at Studland is home to Agglestone a giant rock in Dorset " border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSBfc7N2H-A/WOVdzr1ncMI/AAAAAAAAKGs/i4iMwTIGLfwX2RYJhRtJkDIt3zqFoc2UwCLcB/s1600/Agglestone%2B02%2B.jpg" title="Giant Agglestone rock and gorse bush" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I felt the need to inspect it from every angle.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lslQzJfXpYk/WOVdztFs9wI/AAAAAAAAKGw/vgmU56b0QwQMypLltZNvi3t7x8KmlBiMwCLcB/s1600/Agglestone%2B03%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Huge rock of Agglestone situated in Studland Bay on the Dorset coast" border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lslQzJfXpYk/WOVdztFs9wI/AAAAAAAAKGw/vgmU56b0QwQMypLltZNvi3t7x8KmlBiMwCLcB/s640/Agglestone%2B03%2B.jpg" title="Mighty Agglestone looking over Black Heath in Dorset" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I know it's just a huge block of several million year old sandstone, but it there was something about it that continually drew my attention, I literally couldn't stop looking at it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlRuavasLm8/WOVd1NCqJ0I/AAAAAAAAKG8/Bmn2NZLzt-MS-KPuD77USifCafFKaEaiACLcB/s1600/Agglestone%2BPath%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Studland Bay vista of Agglestone and surrounding heathland with gorse bushes and path" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlRuavasLm8/WOVd1NCqJ0I/AAAAAAAAKG8/Bmn2NZLzt-MS-KPuD77USifCafFKaEaiACLcB/s640/Agglestone%2BPath%2B.jpg" title="Black Heath landscape with Agglestone on a hill" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Walking a bit bit further on, I looked back and took this shot of the rock surrounded by Black Heath, in the distance on the right of the rock is the large expanse of Poole Bay, and just to the left of it is a small body of water, this is Little Sea.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once I'd had a good poke around and looked at it from various perspectives, until I felt I'd seen it from all angles, I headed back the way I'd come, and carried on with the route I was originally going to take, before the curious monolith had diverted me. Not that I was complaining, I was glad I'd made the effort to go and see it, especially as I wasn't expecting it to be there. It was a welcome surprise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Walking through the heart of the heathland, and following a parallel course with the shores of Brand's Bay, one of the larger bays that line the perimeter of Poole Harbour, about a mile or so in the distance, I chanced upon another unexpected find, namely a magnificent patch of pine woodland. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Filled with row upon row of towering, elegant trees, their bare trunks straight as pins, I could see I was going to spend not a small amount of time amongst their comely timber. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J454gxzGI8U/WOVd3rzlVuI/AAAAAAAAKHM/-posQerIy-wGwUj0RdWCMbDrg_PRaU_YACLcB/s1600/Pine%2BForest%2BPath%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Beautiful black and white image of a mighty pine forest and curving pathway through it" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J454gxzGI8U/WOVd3rzlVuI/AAAAAAAAKHM/-posQerIy-wGwUj0RdWCMbDrg_PRaU_YACLcB/s640/Pine%2BForest%2BPath%2B.jpg" title="Atmospheric pine forest in monochrome on the Dorset coast" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A winding path meanders its way through the trees.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LRTBgMbTe-0/WOVd55NS-UI/AAAAAAAAKHY/WKY4zga46SEwIqml1QFlYb6nIAGJ8J5uwCLcB/s1600/Walk%2BThrough%2Bthe%2BWoods%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Man walking through a beautiful pine tree forest at Studland Bay" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LRTBgMbTe-0/WOVd55NS-UI/AAAAAAAAKHY/WKY4zga46SEwIqml1QFlYb6nIAGJ8J5uwCLcB/s640/Walk%2BThrough%2Bthe%2BWoods%2B.jpg" title="Huge pine trees in Dorset tower over a walking man" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And to give you an idea of the size of these beauties.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6K1UGqjt-XI/WOVd1xSuVkI/AAAAAAAAKHA/wA0MW7xcfWwHlf5zmQVqXI4EyeaYH3W0gCLcB/s1600/Journey%2BPast%2Bthe%2BPines%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Black and white image of a magnificent pine forest on the Dorset coast " border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6K1UGqjt-XI/WOVd1xSuVkI/AAAAAAAAKHA/wA0MW7xcfWwHlf5zmQVqXI4EyeaYH3W0gCLcB/s640/Journey%2BPast%2Bthe%2BPines%2B.jpg" title="Pathway through pine trees on Studland Bay in Dorset" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Even though it was the weekend, I think because of the remoteness of the woodland, I saw maybe two other people the whole time I was there. Birdsong was what accompanied me for most of my visit.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0xqv39G-qM/WOVd5iPXzZI/AAAAAAAAKHQ/wnQimwsigiUCUMZ_Tears3JXnHXUZjRxgCLcB/s1600/Pine%2BTrunks%2B01%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Studland Bay pine forest on the beautiful Dorset coast" border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0xqv39G-qM/WOVd5iPXzZI/AAAAAAAAKHQ/wnQimwsigiUCUMZ_Tears3JXnHXUZjRxgCLcB/s640/Pine%2BTrunks%2B01%2B.jpg" title="Tall pine trees in Dorset as far as the eye can see" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ruler straight trunks under an emerald canopy.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I did spy a much bigger pine woodland in the distance that I quite fancied paying a visit to as well, but by this time I'd been out walking for about 6 hours and my feet were beginning grumble, plus I'd run out of water, so it seemed time to get back to the car, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That was the problem, there was always something else to catch the eye and pull you further along, despite it looking at first glance to be a rather desolate and empty corner of Dorset, it really was an interesting place once you started exploring it, and I'll definitely head back there when I return to the area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once I'd got back to the car, which took a lot longer than I had anticipated, I drove to Knoll Beach, not because I wanted a stroll on the beach, far from it, but because the National Trust have a cafe there, and as I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, I was keen to hunt down a bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thankfully they had both, so feeling very happy indeed I headed back to Swanage for a bit of R&R, and to decide where to go for sunset. On the way back though it started to rain, and it continued to rain well into the evening, so sunset was out the question. But I wasn't overly put out, I felt I'd done enough exploring for one day.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ASk5ZB-7G3w/WOVd3XbTgzI/AAAAAAAAKHE/3XIBYx7qKYEX31VASNkNm-VWDhWiUENRQCLcB/s1600/Pine%2BColour%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Forest floor vegetation in a beautiful pine forest in Dorset" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ASk5ZB-7G3w/WOVd3XbTgzI/AAAAAAAAKHE/3XIBYx7qKYEX31VASNkNm-VWDhWiUENRQCLcB/s640/Pine%2BColour%2B.jpg" title="Pine trees and yellow gorse bushes on Studland Bay" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10360028028145466275noreply@blogger.com1Studland, UK50.6563171650504 -1.962518692016601650.653800665050404 -1.9675611920166016 50.6588336650504 -1.9574761920166015