Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether summer clothe the general earth
With greeness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.



Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Bilbo Baggins - Explorer!


This is just a quick post,I have Kaitlyn here for the day and she is asleep now so I have a chance to do something. You forget how time consuming babies are! I uploaded the photographs last week after Bilbo and I had tried a new walk. There may be more from yesterday as well - depends on Kaitlyn!




This is the path up through the wood which is predominantly beech, It isn't much further from where I live than where I usually go so I can't think why we've never been here before. It was a glorious afternoon, warm and sunny - typical of this autumn.





It has been a particularly good year for fungus and this one caught my eye as we walked along.








This my name tree with the sun streaming through it highlighting the berries which are still thick on the branches even though the leaves are almost gone. She is Rowan - the Lady of the Mountains.






Almost at the top - this is one of the many little moorland streams with a bit of typical Derbyshire(and Yorkshire and Cheshire) dry stone wall. The whole scene was so pretty and fairy like that I couldn't resist photographing it.







When I got right to the top this is the sky that greeted me and I thought 'oh,oh!' All was well however and the clouds passed safely over.









This is from pretty much the same spot yesterday.








All the odd shaped balls of twigs on the silver birch which look like rather untidy bird's nests are witches' brooms - these are made by a parasitic fungus called Tephrina betulina.








One of my favourite sights in winter - the outline of bare treees against the skyline. Even better when seen against a vivid winter sunset.









Spot the dog!










I think this photo is really lovely - though I say it perhaps as shouldn't:)











Bilbo Baggins hopes that you enjoyed the walk as much as he did.

17 comments:

Ms. Kathleen said...

You live in a very lovely area. The photographs are so nice. I love your dog! Bilbo is perfect!

Deb said...

Your dog is gorgeous! I was amazed looking through your photos - even though I am in Canada, they look just like the woods where we walk our lab Ben every day! so much so they took me by surprise! Beautiful pictures.

rel said...

Rowan,
I spotted Bilbo just a little right of center.
You do a great job of bringing us into your world with your camera. Really, your photos are good.

I image when a child is plunked into your midst, as opposed to developing a regular routine when they are there everyday, can be quite challenging even for grand ma.

Until next time, Rowan - the Lady of the Mountains, Enjoy the day.
rel

Anonymous said...

Bilbo Baggins does indeed look as if he had a lovely walk. I did too!! I agree it is a lovely photo even if you do say so. ;)

I need orange said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely walk with us! I see that skies are as dramatic there as they can be in Maryland.....

-- Vicki in Michigan

Lynda (Granny K) said...

What a beautiful walk, thank you Rowan! No need of the gym when you have a grandbaby to look after!

I grew up between Bucknall and Leek, by the way. My sister still lives there.

Anonymous said...

You had a very lovely walk. I really enjoyed how you took us through it with your photos. It felt like I was right there walking beside you. I like the one of the stone wall especially...and those dark clouds!
Thank you Rowan!
;-)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful! A truly lovely walk. I am always so drawn to the skies in Britain. They are in constant change and the light is the light of an island.

Daisy Lupin said...

Lovely photographs, especially the streams with the bracken and ferns. The photograph of that low dark sky is very dramatic.

Anonymous said...

I'll confess...I had to *enlarge* the photo to Spot the Dog :)

Thanks for even more wonderfully beautiful photographs :)

Janet said...

I do so enjoy taking a walk with you and Bilbo through the woods. You always have such wonderful photos. I also like to see bare branches against the sky....so stark and yet so lovely.

Anonymous said...

Thank you again Rowan for sharing your lovely photographs. It took a moment but I did spot Bilbo.What a doggy paradise, and a really pretty spot for you too, to take your daily exercise. That sky shot with the dark cloud is really quite dramatic.I looked after two little cherubs today, and don't I know it.Perhaps you will agree it's lovely to see them and play with them, but it can be lovely to wave bye~bye. I for one am worn out!

Naturegirl said...

Bilbo you are a handsome brute and *YES* I enjoyed this walk through your ~*enchanted forest!~* I am sure the fairies and pixies were not too far away hiding and giggling under the fungi.
Rowan there is so much to be seen looking down along the way as you have
beautifully captured in your photos of
fungi.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rowan

Gorgeous photos! Re: mushrooms. Can
you spot a good 'un from a bad 'un? Mushroom hunting is one of my ambitions.

Tea said...

Wow, those ARE dark clouds! But what glorious pictures. Thank you for showing them Rowan.
And that pie looks so good! Bilbo and Martha....love that picture too!

tea
xo

Jeanne said...

Beautiful photos!
What kind of dog is he?
Jeanne

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos and a magnificent walk with you through your favourite woodland places. Bilbo is indeed a handsome lad, and Cassie echoes my sentiments exactly. Is he a pointer?