Tuesday 17 January 2012

A Wander Through Winter Trees


Monday dawned with the land covered in a deep white frost. I waited for the sun to heat the air before Old Dog and I ventured out for a walk. These days, as he becomes slower, we wander more than walk.

Out on the heath, Jennie`s tree, the old wilding crab apple with deep red fruit, held just a few tiny apples on its bare branches. One had fallen to the grass beneath.



Fronds of lichen on its twigs and branches.


Old Dog, looking frail, enjoyed a sniff at the frosty bracken. A few moments later he was walking with a brisk step along the path, with his tail in the air and a keen, alert expression on his face.


Silver birch.......



....a wilding apple that produces bright green fruit enjoyed by Forest cattle.........


... and a lichen covered ash.



One of the wilding trees that produces the loveliest blossom, at the foot of the hill where oak, beech, silver birch and holly grow beside the old coaching lane.



Frost on oak leaves in a dried-up, shaded puddle.


Cattle had passed by in the night.



Along the lane, a log remained from a tree that fell in recent gales..........


....and the understory of the woods was littered with snapped branches after high winds.



Old Dog looked out for a Jack Russell terrier who lives in a cottage that we pass. His friend was not at home.



Oak buds against a cold blue sky...........




....and catkins in a garden, bringing hopes of spring.



12 comments:

Bovey Belle said...

I didn't twig that the coach route had gone that way. I wonder when it stopped?

It's nice to see it looks as lovely in the depths of winter as it does when we visit.

And Old Dog doesn't look TOO bad to me.

Anonymous said...

Another lovely walk, thank you. Doesn't the frost add a lovely dimension to the scenery?

Mum said...

Signs of Spring all around and Old Dog with a spring in his step still. Happy wanderings.
Love from Mum
xx

Kath said...

Oh the old dog, bless him. Funny how the frosty mornings give them a spring in their step, Ellie was the same, all skittish LOL

The Weaver of Grass said...

Lovely photographs. Old dog is a dear - he looks to me as though he has a lot of life in him yet. I am sure he enjoys these wanders where you go at his pace.

Karen said...

Bright blue skies here in North Carolina, too, this weekend. Just lovely to go out and about when it is so nice and warm. Would you believe in the 60's F for the past few days, so no frost to admire.

WOL said...

Beautiful clear blue sky you had. Love the pictures of branches against the sky.

ChrisJ said...

The first photo of the silver birch is beautiful -- and catkins already!

Anna at the Doll House said...

I have never before heard the term "wilding tree" but the apple you show looks rather like my fruit trees. I confess to being something of a reluctant gardener and have more or less let the trees run wild. Could I now describe them as wilding do you think?

Anna

BilboWaggins said...

Lovely walk for Old Dog. A gentle pace and much to stop and sniff at, perfect.

Morning's Minion said...

I so enjoy your attention to details such as frost-crisped leaves and the patterns the branches make against the sky.
There was an ancient apple tree on my Grampa Mac's farm that clung to its tiny golden apples through much of the winter.

Crafty Green Poet said...

Looks like a lovely walk and good that Old Dog can still wander around and enjoy it all!