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Alight with abundance

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I’d just started on a bike ride for a bit of exercise but didn’t get far before stopping to capture this scene. The sunlight in the gateway beckoned me closer. How could I resist?  The leaves and grass were so bright in the sunshine. Everything felt new and fresh with an abundance of Spring flourish – the vegetation bursting with life; birdsong happy and hopeful.  It’s like the forest has got new clothes and is chuffed to wear them.  And it’s good to see!  Those tall trees on either side now look to me like columns at the entrance of a special place – where the sun shines and the leaves sparkle and life is abundant. I didn’t get much exercise but that’s just how I felt. —  Again in black and white: Photo ref: 20260508-Beechen-Lane-2 Notecard ref: NF105 —  Here’s the gate again in portrait view:  I loved the sunlight on those leaves of the overhanging branch. They shone gloriously with dazzling effect – translucent and somewhat spellbinding. I co...
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A curious forest opening

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I loved the wildness of this place. It felt like I’d stumbled across the gateway to an enchanted forest – the kind in children’s stories that has a life of its own; its own secrets.   It was wet everywhere but the rains had passed and the forecast showed we were in for a bright day. I spent hours wandering around this spot, noticing different things to photograph and thoroughly enjoying myself doing so!  I didn’t have to venture far to discover wonderful subjects around me – the curve of a tree, the moss-covered stumps, the cross-cross patterns of branches, the way droplets hung on to twigs.  It was so good to be out there. I must do it more often!  —  Again in black and white: Taken on a Canon 600D with an EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens, in Pondhead Inclosure, Lyndhurst, New Forest. February 2026.  —  Photo ref: 20260204-Pondhead-Inclosure-5 Notecard ref: NF055
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Location: Beechen Ln, Lyndhurst, UK
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Moss and droplets everywhere

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Perhaps this shot isn’t quite conveying the lovely sunlight rising directly ahead, lifting the light on these trees and cheering up this wet and sodden place.  All around droplets were clinging to slender branches and glistening in the sun. I tried to capture that here and it’s created something of a snowy effect.  It’s a lovely avenue of trees for this path to cut through. The vibrant colours captured me in the mid-morning brightness. And I stayed for several hours revelling in the beauty of it all.  —  Again in black and white: This is a straight conversion. I haven’t made any adjustments other than converting to black and white. Is it a bit bland?  By adding a darker vignette the snowy effect is emphasised and the scene becomes even more wintry, perhaps making it a bit more interesting?  —  Taken on a Canon 600D with an EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens, in Pondhead Inclosure, Lyndhurst, New Forest. February 2026.  —  Photo ref: 202602...
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Location: Beechen Ln, Lyndhurst, UK
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Slender beauty

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Taken on my way back from a ride along Beechen Lane.  It’s amazing how a simple line of slender trees can offer such a lovely picture at twilight. They just stand there, silhouetted in serenity, unaware of their captivating effect.  It’s the end of February. Winter hasn't let go of its grip. But I’m warmed by the sun-tinged sky. The trees are framing it so artfully.  They become one at this time of day – interconnected lines forming fascinating patterns; adding interest to a wonderful, endless canvas; segmenting eternity with curiosity and playfulness.  I stop and reach for my old iPhone to capture the moment. It’s so still and peaceful.  Elsewhere people are working, conversing, travelling, hurrying, worrying, rushing, reeling…  And here I am, transfixed by this natural masterpiece, absorbed in its moment, before the earth rolls on and more magnificent displays roll out. I feel I could stay here forever.  Who is it that says eternity is set in our hea...
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Location: Beechen Ln, Lyndhurst, UK
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Standing in the stillness

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Here we are in April and it seems winter still has a hold. All is still. The forest floor is dank and heavy with fallen debris. But there’s a sense of acceptance – it’s the natural order of things and not to be rushed.  I’m taken with the neutral misty light providing a gentle background canvas for the moss to appear rich and vibrant, flourishing in all the moisture.  I admire the tree – seemingly standing strong and assured with experience. In weeks to come it will transform, turning our attention away from its impressive skeletal form to the beauty and grace of a tree in leaf. But in this calm wintry moment, its stance in the stillness evokes a sense of peace and serenity.   —-  Here again in black and white: Taken on a Canon 400D with EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM lens, on Beechen Lane track, Lyndhurst, New Forest. April 2023.  —  Photo ref: 20230415-Beechen-Lane-50 Notecard ref: NF001
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Location: Beechen Ln, Lyndhurst, UK
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Peddling through puddles

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She’s just about to ride through that puddle, just like she made sure to ride through every puddle along the forest track. What fun!  When was the last time I had fun like that? I love my daughter’s delight in such simple things.  It was a gorgeous day. Big white clouds roamed a big blue sky. Old bare trees revealed what the years had done to their old twisted forms. And I kept pointing these things out to my daughter, saying, ‘Look at that tree, my love’ and ‘Isn’t it beautiful?’ She just kept peddling through puddles, probably wondering what her daddy was on about.  —  Again in black and white: Snapped on my old iPhone 6s on Beechen Lane track, Lyndhurst, New Forest. January 2023.  —  Photo ref: 20230102-Family-Bike-Ride-Beechen-Lane-68 / IMG_5824
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Location: Beechen Ln, Lyndhurst, UK
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Shining in their mess

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It’s amazing how a bit of sunlight can transform an object. My eye was drawn to the way it hit those trunks, highlighting their form.  I wasn’t aware of the complete mess of it all – which certainly comes across in this shot! – nor how the trunk was broken. At the time, it was all about that lovely light.  I often feel my life is like these trees – quite a mess! And I can all too easily see the mess in others too. But wouldn’t it be great to mainly see where they shine?  —  Again in black and white: Snapped on my old iPhone 6s on Beechen Lane track, Lyndhurst, New Forest. January 2023.  —  Photo ref: 20230102-Beechen-Lane-22 / IMG_5822
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Location: Beechen Ln, Lyndhurst, UK
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