Winter on Dartmoor
The river and trees at Spitchwick Common by Keith.
Getting out and about for some landscape photography in the winter is a joy when the weather is kind. Generally of course, it isn’t! Grey and more grey with plenty of rain. Arriving at Badgers Holt on Dartmoor, in February after the promise of good weather, it was of course, grey. Sat in the car we ‘ummed and aahd’ about opening the door.
On resolving to at least go for a walk, we crossed the road for a look around on the other side of the bridge. We discovered that this area led to Spitchwick Common, good for a short walk without getting too wet if the rain arrived.
This isn’t the place for sweeping vistas but still plenty of subjects to photograph as long as you take the time to stop and look for a while. The cameras were soon out of our packs as we found interesting mosses, trees, the river, and a pony.
The hairy Unsea lichen is a sign of the freshest air and such a beautiful colour.
Unsea Lichen by Andrea.
The trees and shrubs at this time of year are messy so you have to get close to the subject to block out what you don’t want, or to get some separation. A tree trunk with ivy trailing up it is too good to miss. We tend to lose ourselves in the moment and time suddenly moves much faster.
Ivy growing up a birch trunk by Keith.
Finding a spectacular silver birch, skeletal with leafless branches, stopped us in our tracks. Only a few walkers passed us by with the usual pleasantries, and a beautiful black pony kept trotting over hoping we might hand over some food. The poor pony went away disappointed.
Silver Birch by Andrea
Spring is coming, stay optimistic!
Bye from our little pony companion.
