Monday, May 31
New Forest Holiday - Watch the Birdy
Finally an improvement in this Bank Holiday's weather. Not that it has been particularly unpleasant in my opinion.
But local traffic volumes this weekend, especially an increasing number of caravans & mobile homes fleeing local campsites during Sunday afternoon, suggest that anything other than Brilliant Sunshine is regarded by this year's tourist as A Bad Thing if it happens during a Bank Holiday break.
Mid morning I decided on a whim to visit one of my New Forest secret spots. A strange location with the traffic noise of the busy A35 the accompaniment to the start\end sections of this circular route.
But despite such an ominous introduction I can usually guarantee, whenever I visit, to spot plenty of New Forest wildlife. The sort of things that the scurrying holidaymaker comes to the area to enjoy, but so rarely finds outside sanctified Forestry Commission sites (Or the 'to be avoided tourist traps' as we locally know them to be)
Today I thought my luck was due to fail when in the distance I spotted a walker & dog crossing directly through one of the main areas where I'd usually expect browsing deer.
Happily this worked to my advantage instead.
Ten minutes later I came upwind onto the largest herd I've seen in this location to date. Possibly the earlier presence of that walker/dog combination had spooked some separate groups to herd together and move to a safe location. One on my immediate path.
I moved forward carefully until the inevitable happened. My doggy companion, trotting to-heel, has a powerful scent where deer are concerned. One that the herd's scouts, always alert to the unusual, had caught.
And off they went.
I watched them for a while, tracking their escape route for future reference. The herd 20-30 strong circling my position at a safe distance, until they felt secure enough to drop their heads and return to once again to their browsing in the sunshine. Blending, as they so easily do, into their background.
(New Forest Deer)
I ambled onwards. A solitary presence despite the Bank Holiday.
Further on a movement underfoot caught my attention alerting me of a forest ant trail.
I love watching the industry and single mindedness of these particular insects. As usual after a few seconds the eye\brain focuses into the detail turning the initial sight of several individual ants into a wide & endless trail of large black individuals busily intent on travel to & from their nest.
(New Forest Ant)
Nothing seems to deter these busy workers. Not even my size 7 feet menacingly moving in their direction. Wary of my potentially disruptive influence, and mindful of my Godlike ability to deliver mass destruction, however unintentional, I carefully side track around the flowing dark ribbon, to continue my wandering observation of Nature's daily routine.
Later, I came across a complimentary pattern, but this time a result of Bank Holiday tourists milling aimlessly around a local market. Unlike the ants their efforts seemed ill suited & haphazard.
All in the name of Bank Holiday leisure and relaxation.
It left me musing as to exactly who had the best lifestyle deal this holiday Monday?
Those with the 'choice' & 'self-awareness' to decide their own action and activity?
Or is it those creatures of Nature we believe have defined actions and reactions within a rigid hierarchical framework. All part of an interdependent & complex social order?
If the birds & bees lack that Free Will, which we Humans so celebrate, how is it my amateur observations today concluded the latter group to those so out of balance with their environment.
And so clearly dissatisfied as a result?Labels: nature;, New Forest
Wednesday, May 12
Politics, Coalition & The Outdoors
I've just returned home having spent much of the last few motoring driving across substantial chunks of SW England.
On the one hand - the extreme tedium of long motorway hauls. As a balance - sunshine blessed meandering along sunken single trackway on the edges of Dartmoor.
The one inescapable fact that stuck me, from all this, is the sheer amount of green and open countryside in this part of the UK. Outside the grasp of the conurbation, Britain's rural scenery quickly re-asserts itself blending countryside and hamlets happily together.
All of which comes as a pleasant relief from that easy conclusion, on seeing the same old city landscape during the daily work routine, that the whole of the UK feels like one huge built-up area.
So it will be interesting to see what will come from this item in the Con-LibDem agreement:
"Measures to promote green spaces and wildlife corridors in order to halt the loss of habitats and restore biodiversity"
Heathrow Airport runway plans have already been scrapped after years of proposal & counter proposal.
Keep watching folks.
Saturday, December 26
Boxing Day Snaps
It's quiet.
Its rain sodden & very muddy
.jpg)
But at least its finally warmed up
.jpg)
But judging by the thick clumps of red berries high on the holly tree - the real winter cold has yet to arrive.
And the catkins seem to agree, already a couple of weeks behind their usual growth.
Labels: nature;
Sunday, November 1
Wet Weather Wonder
For once last night's weather forecast was correct. Hardly difficult when it looked like the whole of the UK would be covered by one rather large raincloud.
So naturally time to head for one of my local secret spots - a New Forest waterfall near Burbush car park.
As this only appears for a very short time with heavy rainfall its not a spot likely to become over populated with hordes of tourists, especially during the summer holiday months.
Hence the reason I can let you in on this particular secret.
The pool, usually a dry shale track, once more acting unwittingly as an outflow water course, before heading off westwards down along the old railway track.
On this occasion I clambered up to the top of the waterfall, to confirm the source of the water.
Heavy rainfall on the heathland above used to drain away naturally. But a heathland fire a couple of years ago somehow compacted the ground with the result that the small tracks are now channels for the excess water, leading to form deep pools at the edge of the heath. Which inevitably tips over the heathland edge and down onto the track below.
Once again I realise that I should get a a better camera phone for these sort of on the spot snaps.Labels: nature;, New Forest
Sunday, September 27
Whre has all the rainfall gone?
(Posed for by model)
The flat grassy area at the edge of this New Forest pool near Burbush has been under water for most of the summer months. But now, in late September, there's a couple of meters of dry land where at this time of year the edge of the pond would normally be.
Ok - who nicked all the water then?
Or perhaps a sign of a dry warm Autumn to come?Labels: nature;, New Forest
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
But local traffic volumes this weekend, especially an increasing number of caravans & mobile homes fleeing local campsites during Sunday afternoon, suggest that anything other than Brilliant Sunshine is regarded by this year's tourist as A Bad Thing if it happens during a Bank Holiday break.
Mid morning I decided on a whim to visit one of my New Forest secret spots. A strange location with the traffic noise of the busy A35 the accompaniment to the start\end sections of this circular route.
But despite such an ominous introduction I can usually guarantee, whenever I visit, to spot plenty of New Forest wildlife. The sort of things that the scurrying holidaymaker comes to the area to enjoy, but so rarely finds outside sanctified Forestry Commission sites (Or the 'to be avoided tourist traps' as we locally know them to be)
Today I thought my luck was due to fail when in the distance I spotted a walker & dog crossing directly through one of the main areas where I'd usually expect browsing deer.
Happily this worked to my advantage instead.
Ten minutes later I came upwind onto the largest herd I've seen in this location to date. Possibly the earlier presence of that walker/dog combination had spooked some separate groups to herd together and move to a safe location. One on my immediate path.
I moved forward carefully until the inevitable happened. My doggy companion, trotting to-heel, has a powerful scent where deer are concerned. One that the herd's scouts, always alert to the unusual, had caught.
And off they went.
I watched them for a while, tracking their escape route for future reference. The herd 20-30 strong circling my position at a safe distance, until they felt secure enough to drop their heads and return to once again to their browsing in the sunshine. Blending, as they so easily do, into their background.
(New Forest Deer)
I ambled onwards. A solitary presence despite the Bank Holiday.
Further on a movement underfoot caught my attention alerting me of a forest ant trail.
I love watching the industry and single mindedness of these particular insects. As usual after a few seconds the eye\brain focuses into the detail turning the initial sight of several individual ants into a wide & endless trail of large black individuals busily intent on travel to & from their nest.
(New Forest Ant)
Nothing seems to deter these busy workers. Not even my size 7 feet menacingly moving in their direction. Wary of my potentially disruptive influence, and mindful of my Godlike ability to deliver mass destruction, however unintentional, I carefully side track around the flowing dark ribbon, to continue my wandering observation of Nature's daily routine.
Later, I came across a complimentary pattern, but this time a result of Bank Holiday tourists milling aimlessly around a local market. Unlike the ants their efforts seemed ill suited & haphazard.
All in the name of Bank Holiday leisure and relaxation.
It left me musing as to exactly who had the best lifestyle deal this holiday Monday?
Those with the 'choice' & 'self-awareness' to decide their own action and activity?
Or is it those creatures of Nature we believe have defined actions and reactions within a rigid hierarchical framework. All part of an interdependent & complex social order?
If the birds & bees lack that Free Will, which we Humans so celebrate, how is it my amateur observations today concluded the latter group to those so out of balance with their environment.
And so clearly dissatisfied as a result?
Labels: nature;, New Forest
Politics, Coalition & The Outdoors
I've just returned home having spent much of the last few motoring driving across substantial chunks of SW England.
On the one hand - the extreme tedium of long motorway hauls. As a balance - sunshine blessed meandering along sunken single trackway on the edges of Dartmoor.
The one inescapable fact that stuck me, from all this, is the sheer amount of green and open countryside in this part of the UK. Outside the grasp of the conurbation, Britain's rural scenery quickly re-asserts itself blending countryside and hamlets happily together.
All of which comes as a pleasant relief from that easy conclusion, on seeing the same old city landscape during the daily work routine, that the whole of the UK feels like one huge built-up area.
So it will be interesting to see what will come from this item in the Con-LibDem agreement:
"Measures to promote green spaces and wildlife corridors in order to halt the loss of habitats and restore biodiversity"
Heathrow Airport runway plans have already been scrapped after years of proposal & counter proposal.
Keep watching folks.
Saturday, December 26
Boxing Day Snaps
It's quiet.
Its rain sodden & very muddy
But at least its finally warmed up
But judging by the thick clumps of red berries high on the holly tree - the real winter cold has yet to arrive.
And the catkins seem to agree, already a couple of weeks behind their usual growth.
Labels: nature;
Sunday, November 1
Wet Weather Wonder
For once last night's weather forecast was correct. Hardly difficult when it looked like the whole of the UK would be covered by one rather large raincloud.
So naturally time to head for one of my local secret spots - a New Forest waterfall near Burbush car park.
As this only appears for a very short time with heavy rainfall its not a spot likely to become over populated with hordes of tourists, especially during the summer holiday months.
Hence the reason I can let you in on this particular secret.
The pool, usually a dry shale track, once more acting unwittingly as an outflow water course, before heading off westwards down along the old railway track.
On this occasion I clambered up to the top of the waterfall, to confirm the source of the water.
Heavy rainfall on the heathland above used to drain away naturally. But a heathland fire a couple of years ago somehow compacted the ground with the result that the small tracks are now channels for the excess water, leading to form deep pools at the edge of the heath. Which inevitably tips over the heathland edge and down onto the track below.
Once again I realise that I should get a a better camera phone for these sort of on the spot snaps.Labels: nature;, New Forest
Sunday, September 27
Whre has all the rainfall gone?
(Posed for by model)
The flat grassy area at the edge of this New Forest pool near Burbush has been under water for most of the summer months. But now, in late September, there's a couple of meters of dry land where at this time of year the edge of the pond would normally be.
Ok - who nicked all the water then?
Or perhaps a sign of a dry warm Autumn to come?Labels: nature;, New Forest
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
On the one hand - the extreme tedium of long motorway hauls. As a balance - sunshine blessed meandering along sunken single trackway on the edges of Dartmoor.
The one inescapable fact that stuck me, from all this, is the sheer amount of green and open countryside in this part of the UK. Outside the grasp of the conurbation, Britain's rural scenery quickly re-asserts itself blending countryside and hamlets happily together.
All of which comes as a pleasant relief from that easy conclusion, on seeing the same old city landscape during the daily work routine, that the whole of the UK feels like one huge built-up area.
So it will be interesting to see what will come from this item in the Con-LibDem agreement:
"Measures to promote green spaces and wildlife corridors in order to halt the loss of habitats and restore biodiversity"
Heathrow Airport runway plans have already been scrapped after years of proposal & counter proposal.
Keep watching folks.
Boxing Day Snaps
It's quiet.
Its rain sodden & very muddy
But at least its finally warmed up
But judging by the thick clumps of red berries high on the holly tree - the real winter cold has yet to arrive.
And the catkins seem to agree, already a couple of weeks behind their usual growth.
Labels: nature;
Sunday, November 1
Wet Weather Wonder
For once last night's weather forecast was correct. Hardly difficult when it looked like the whole of the UK would be covered by one rather large raincloud.
So naturally time to head for one of my local secret spots - a New Forest waterfall near Burbush car park.
As this only appears for a very short time with heavy rainfall its not a spot likely to become over populated with hordes of tourists, especially during the summer holiday months.
Hence the reason I can let you in on this particular secret.
The pool, usually a dry shale track, once more acting unwittingly as an outflow water course, before heading off westwards down along the old railway track.
On this occasion I clambered up to the top of the waterfall, to confirm the source of the water.
Heavy rainfall on the heathland above used to drain away naturally. But a heathland fire a couple of years ago somehow compacted the ground with the result that the small tracks are now channels for the excess water, leading to form deep pools at the edge of the heath. Which inevitably tips over the heathland edge and down onto the track below.
Once again I realise that I should get a a better camera phone for these sort of on the spot snaps.Labels: nature;, New Forest
Sunday, September 27
Whre has all the rainfall gone?
(Posed for by model)
The flat grassy area at the edge of this New Forest pool near Burbush has been under water for most of the summer months. But now, in late September, there's a couple of meters of dry land where at this time of year the edge of the pond would normally be.
Ok - who nicked all the water then?
Or perhaps a sign of a dry warm Autumn to come?Labels: nature;, New Forest
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
Its rain sodden & very muddy
.jpg)
But at least its finally warmed up
.jpg)
But judging by the thick clumps of red berries high on the holly tree - the real winter cold has yet to arrive.
And the catkins seem to agree, already a couple of weeks behind their usual growth.
Labels: nature;
Wet Weather Wonder
For once last night's weather forecast was correct. Hardly difficult when it looked like the whole of the UK would be covered by one rather large raincloud.
So naturally time to head for one of my local secret spots - a New Forest waterfall near Burbush car park.
As this only appears for a very short time with heavy rainfall its not a spot likely to become over populated with hordes of tourists, especially during the summer holiday months.
Hence the reason I can let you in on this particular secret.
The pool, usually a dry shale track, once more acting unwittingly as an outflow water course, before heading off westwards down along the old railway track.
On this occasion I clambered up to the top of the waterfall, to confirm the source of the water.
Heavy rainfall on the heathland above used to drain away naturally. But a heathland fire a couple of years ago somehow compacted the ground with the result that the small tracks are now channels for the excess water, leading to form deep pools at the edge of the heath. Which inevitably tips over the heathland edge and down onto the track below.
Once again I realise that I should get a a better camera phone for these sort of on the spot snaps.Labels: nature;, New Forest
Sunday, September 27
Whre has all the rainfall gone?
(Posed for by model)
The flat grassy area at the edge of this New Forest pool near Burbush has been under water for most of the summer months. But now, in late September, there's a couple of meters of dry land where at this time of year the edge of the pond would normally be.
Ok - who nicked all the water then?
Or perhaps a sign of a dry warm Autumn to come?Labels: nature;, New Forest
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
So naturally time to head for one of my local secret spots - a New Forest waterfall near Burbush car park.
As this only appears for a very short time with heavy rainfall its not a spot likely to become over populated with hordes of tourists, especially during the summer holiday months.
Hence the reason I can let you in on this particular secret.
The pool, usually a dry shale track, once more acting unwittingly as an outflow water course, before heading off westwards down along the old railway track.
On this occasion I clambered up to the top of the waterfall, to confirm the source of the water.
Heavy rainfall on the heathland above used to drain away naturally. But a heathland fire a couple of years ago somehow compacted the ground with the result that the small tracks are now channels for the excess water, leading to form deep pools at the edge of the heath. Which inevitably tips over the heathland edge and down onto the track below.
Once again I realise that I should get a a better camera phone for these sort of on the spot snaps.
Labels: nature;, New Forest
Whre has all the rainfall gone?
(Posed for by model)
The flat grassy area at the edge of this New Forest pool near Burbush has been under water for most of the summer months. But now, in late September, there's a couple of meters of dry land where at this time of year the edge of the pond would normally be.
Ok - who nicked all the water then?
Or perhaps a sign of a dry warm Autumn to come?Labels: nature;, New Forest
(Posed for by model)The flat grassy area at the edge of this New Forest pool near Burbush has been under water for most of the summer months. But now, in late September, there's a couple of meters of dry land where at this time of year the edge of the pond would normally be.
Ok - who nicked all the water then?
Or perhaps a sign of a dry warm Autumn to come?
Labels: nature;, New Forest
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
