Thursday 25 February 2021

Winter In The Woods

We've had some lovely sunny days this week and it's been nice to be able to get outdoors for some walks, unfortunately, the day I decided to take my camera with me wasn't quite so nice. It had been sunny on Tuesday morning but by the afternoon it had clouded over and by 3pm, when we drove to Lotherton to take Archie for a walk, it was threatening rain and was really quite breezy. Luckily, it stayed dry, but we were a bit windswept by the time we got home.

There's such a stark difference in the woods during the winter months to what it's like during summer, it actually looks quite barren when the trees are devoid of their leaves. It's still a nice place to walk though, and since last week, crushed stones have been added to the pathways to dry up some of the muddy puddles.

You can see so much more of the trees and their interesting features during this period. The leaves camouflage their shape and other interesting details but they're fully exposed at this time of year and you're free to see them in all their glory.

Everywhere looks dead at a first glance just now but there are signs of life if you look closely. Look amongst the leaf litter underneath the trees and you'll see the first signs of the wild garlic pushing through the earth. I'd wondered what the shoots were when I saw them last week, dismissing all thoughts of wild garlic as I thought it too early, but I then read Jules post on A Hidden Jem and she confirmed my suspicions of it being just that. It's grown since last week and already there's that tell tale garlic aroma. Another month or so and the woodland floor will be carpeted in large green leaves.

The snowdrops have been flowering for some time now. I do love to see them as it makes me think that spring can't be that far away, though I fear we haven't seen the end of winter quite yet.


Wildlife World is closed to the public at the moment because of lockdown but some of the animals can still be seen at various points around the estate. Here's a Visayan warty pig. He, for one, seems quite happy to see so much mud around.


Some birds seem stranger than others though, here's one we came across in the woods. I'm not sure about those goggly eyes.

I'm enjoying being able to get out for a walk again, I just hope this warmer weather holds, I don't like the cold.

22 comments:

  1. I love the skeleton of trees, they are such interesting shapes and the bark is impressive.

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  2. It has been lovely to get out and about in the warmer temperatures. Seeing the daffodils and crocus in bloom really lifts your spirits.

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  3. I wondered what the larger leaves were when I went for a walk the other day, now I know it's garlic :-)
    It's very Spring like here today, It's nice to see things popping through, although it's still very soggy everywhere in our garden. At least it's been warm enough to put the heating on later in the afternoon, Mark is like you he feels the cold. It has to be very very cold for me to say i'm cold though, I don't notice it, unlike in the summer when I'm always moaning it's too hot :-)

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  4. It's sunny here but still chilly but I can't complain. That pig certainly does look happy with plenty of mud.

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  5. It's lovely to get out into the woods even if everything is quite stark at the moment the promise of snowdrops makes it worthwhile. I know the woods near me are very muddy so I'm leaving it until next week and hoping we have a few dry days.

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  6. We have taken a few walks but the wind and cold temperatures have mostly kept us at home. I'm anxious for nicer weather, but that is a least another month away here.

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  7. Thank you for showing what Lotherton is like as winter comes to a close, as my photos are of course all summery. Rained here overnight & still very dull, so glad we popped out for a drive yesterday to San Remo & had a walk along the beach, although extremely windy. I wonder what sort of bird it is supposed to represent. I'm thinking owl, but it's just not quite right. Take care & huggles.

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  8. It's been lovely and sunny here today but with a very chilly wind. I'm not mad keen on everything looking so bare in winter but I do like certain trees without leaves as some of the branches create lovely shapes.

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  9. First Jo, have I ever told you I love the Tutti Fruitti baby blanket on your sidebar? The suns been out and that has made all the difference. But, we walked with our friend who has dementia today, outside for 2 miles due to covid. Lunch outside on a park bench and me , offering to sit on the sidewalk. Geeeeeeee it got so cold sitting there. We wore our masks and he was having a good day .

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  10. It's looking a lot drier at Lotherton thank goodness and blue skies are here today. I'll look forward to seeing all the wild garlic before too long.

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  11. Not a lot of sun here but it was so nice to get out on a virtual walk with you and admire the trees and the signs of Spring.

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  12. I enjoyed your walk, I don't think we have wild garlic in my area. It would be nice to have it and blue bells to look forward to. I am anxious to see any new growth but that won't happen anytime soon because we still have snow and ice. I stay mostly in and cook soups!💖

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  13. Mr. (or Mrs.) Piggy sure does have a long snout!!!

    We still have a lot of snow cover and what isn't covered with snow/ice is an absolute mud pit. No woods walks for us right now. We need a few more days of sunshine. Unfortunately, it is rain all weekend for us.

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  14. So sorry you were wind blown, but it looks like a lovely walk. Even that warty hog looks happy.

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  15. It is so nice to get out for a walk, it's good for the body and soul. I enjoyed your photographs.

    Have a good weekend.

    All the best Jan

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  16. It seems a slightly colder today although there's no wind at present. It's good to get out for walk and get some exercise. I go out when it's dry, but you never know when the weather will change and the clouds bring rain showers. It's good to notice changes along the trail as plants appear, improvements are made to trails such as better ground underfoot and interesting features such as animals and artwork.

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  17. We've been able to get out more this week too for us read Nostell instead if Lotherton. We saw wild garlic pushing through too.

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  18. Mud and wild garlic appears to be the theme here as well. The woods are looking quite sparse but it won't be long until the trees are covered in new growth. X

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  19. Wish we had an interesting place to walk near by. I get my steps walking through the neighborhood. I do try to walk in different directions in order to see different things; but...not the same as your lovely path. I don't know a thing about wild garlic and am going to have to see if it grows around here. Are you able to use it to cook with? Hope you're staying safe from the Covid and are able to get your shots soon; if you've not already been successful.
    Sandy's Space

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    1. You can make pesto with wild garlic, though I have to admit that I keep saying I'll give it a go but haven't yet. I wouldn't take it from here though, too many doggies around for my liking near something I'd be eating, but it grows quite abundantly in woodland.

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  20. ILOVE crows. I love that crow in wood!!!!
    We are still buried in snow. But the sun is out briefly and it is in the 40s. There is hope. This is so normal for Feb. End. WE may get a 60 or two as a huge treat in March,. But march is a slow day warmth, evening freeze month. Which is how and why we get great maple syrup!

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  21. The winter woods are beautiful. Gosh there will be carpets of wild garlic there soon, good for foragers. Love the wooden bird and wee piggy.xxx

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