Saturday 10 October 2009

AN AUTUMN WALK IN THE WOODS

I had to show this first picture of a Sweet Chestnut. Nearly 30 years ago when we walked at Winkworth Arboretum we collected chestnuts with the children. I planted them in the garden and several grew. Realising that I did not want a vegetable bed with huge chestnut trees I transplanted to the edge of the woods. This is one near the road that survived . There is also a Horse Chestnut tree a little further in.

I once said to Christina the old lady who lived opposite this space what I had done and that perhaps one day we would be able to collect chestnuts for the fire with our grandchildren. She remembered what I said over the years and often chuckled about it.

The year Mike's eldest Grandchild was born was the first year it had chestnuts on. That was 13 years ago.

So far the autumn colours haven't really come into their own.


This is taken a few paces from our house which is on the edge of a housing estate.
Down the track to the left into part of the woods is my most frequent afternoon walk with Beth.

You just have to look up at the lovely canopy.


These woods are not really managed and many of the trees are strangled with ivy.

Trunks are such tactile things don't you think.
At this point my flash started to go off and I think it spoils the true colour. Also I ran out of battery so had to give up taking photos on this walk.

On my next walk the weather was very dull so I tried experimenting on 1600ISO setting for most. I found setting the F number aperture first was best because that enabled me to set the shutter time at the minimum suitable for each shot. I did not take a tripod and so hand shake was a problem with a long shutter time.
Did that make sense? I am on such a steep learning curve with photography and was actually very pleased that the shots came out at all. All the automatic ones wanted to use flash and I was definitely not happy with those few I took.


Dreaming spires and as I said so tactile.


Always a shame when such a large tree has had to be felled.

This group of three trees always looks so special one has a paint mark on so I am hoping it is to remove a branch and not the whole tree.

Out in the field and then back to the woods on the homeward journey Beth in the distance. You can see what I mean about Autumn colours not quite here yet.

This lovely old Oak is such a magical tree, how many tales it could tell and how many generations of children have swung in it's branches.

At that point I had to close as it started to speck with rain and yes there is just a slight mark on this photo from a raindrop. That is going to be a wet winters day treat, to learn how to touch up photos.
Other walks this way were in Snow and A Walk in the Woods.
If you enjoyed these photos you really must go to Kiki's wonderful blog Awake with charm and spirit her photos are truly amazing and her prose are enchanting transporting you into a truly magical world of trees.

26 comments:

  1. I should have mentioned a link to my Cow Parsley post of the same woods.

    http://joanne-orangecottages.blogspot.com/2009/04/cow-parsley.html

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  2. Beautiful pictures of the trees Joanne. You're really learning that new camera. I just always use automatic since I don't understand all of the rest of that stuff but do turn my flash off most of the time. I wish I knew more about the settings. It sure looks like a beautiful place to go on your walks with Beth.

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  3. Trees are majestic! The trunks'images are even better! Very good Joanne! We took a trip yesterday, and surprisingly, saw not so many yellow and red colors. It's fine with me!

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  4. TY for taking us along on this walk ... it was very enjoyable being with you & such a peaceful, relaxing venture.

    Have a warm snuggly weekend. TTFN ~Marydon

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  5. Hello Joanne. I love taking walks in the woods and thanks to your post, I feel like I have. Thank you!

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  6. Hi Joanne
    Once again your photos brought the song "Memories" to my mind!!

    Lovely to see trees with leaves on the. The trees around here are naked already! Climate change is sure wreaking hovoc with the seasons. Good to see that some scientists are talking about the changes in climate causing Tick habitat to spread. Now all we need is doctors and specialists to realise the truth before more people get sick and are told the area was not known to be tick habitat!!

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  7. Yes I think you did this short walk with us.
    You have had a very short summer this year snow already!
    Climate change, ticks, retrovirus how much longer will those who should and could help us keep their heads in the sand.

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  8. Hi Azplantlady So many different climates around the World make blogging so interesting. I am pleased you enjoyed the trees.

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  9. Raingardener I have to chuckle because I had to learn something because I couldn't work out how to turn flash off in automatic it seems to override things.
    Yes it is a nice and a short walk.

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  10. Hi Tatyana Yes trees are lovely they give us great protection from strong winds and afford home for wildlife which visit our garden.

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  11. Marydon Many thanks glad you enjoyed the walk and hope you have a lovely weekend too.

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  12. What a beautiful place to walk. You're lucky to have so many matures trees near you. We mostly have large evergreens in and around our neighborhood so don't have many fall changing trees unless people have planted them. How nice to have the tree to show a memory of collecting the chestnuts with your children.

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  13. Lovely. I miss the Surrey woodland. You have an eye for texture.

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  14. Joanne, thank you very much for taking me along with you in your walk in the woods. I already feel like I'm Little Red Riding Hood or Goldilocks. It is nice to hear about the tree that you have grown and how wonderful to find that your are now able to enjoy the fruits of your labour with family and friends. I think that the second picture of the tree bark looks very much like somebody is kissing the tree from the right side. Have a happy weekend!

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  15. It must an interesting walk, through the spirit of autumn.... walk , pause and ponder.. how sweet. ~ bangchik

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  16. TY for this post, Joanne, I love the pics and the words, and relate it so much to myself, e.g. the linking of nature and our own past experiences, and the photographic learning curve. cheers, catmint

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  17. HI Joanne! What a beautiful and stunning tribute to the tree spirits! I absolutley love the magical oak..wow.. and the beautiful words you wrote..I wish I could swing on that tree too! What a lovely dream!I also love the picture of the three trees standing together..how powerful is that! Wow, I am so completely touched you make mention of me, I feel so very honored! HUgs, big huge hugs to you..you are one special spirited lady and you make me feel super special! I loved your post..awesome pictures and closeups..and I am happy you got out for a magical walk even though it drizzled abit..Have a most lovely weekend! Blessings to you!
    Kiki~

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  18. Thanks for taking me along on your lovely walk.Our foliage is turning into all its autumn glory but alas they will soon be falling to the ground.
    Take care,
    Carolyn

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  19. Hi Thanks everyone for all your lovely comments. Kiki I am flattered that you enjoyed it so much.

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  20. Hi Joanne, I enjoyed your outing! It's nice to 'see' what you see on your walks. I love trees and the magic of their trunks. While in Maine, I took some photos of trees and woods, and plan to post them when my garden is looking yucky, which will probably be quite soon!! Our trees are not changing quickly either...in a few more weeks they will be at their best for autumn viewing.

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  21. Hi Jan nice of you to pop by there are so many blogs to see and not enough time. I too have one or two things I will blog about during the winter months.

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  22. I so enjoyed my walk in the woods with you. It is a beautiful area with a nice path. I especially like oak trees too and do wonder of all the stories they could tell if only they could talk. You have a wonderful day.

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  23. What a lovely walk... that Oak is marvelous! I do not notice any raindrop only the majestic being you honor so.

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  24. Thank you for a wonderful walk. I love the sensitive way you talk about the trees. They each have their spirit, don't they?

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  25. Tina Carol and Mary many thanks for your comments.

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  26. Enjoyed the tour around the woods.
    Lovely old trees have so much interest.
    I also like prefer speed priority.

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