Frame Heath

Frame Heath

Frame Heath

This morning, long before we could see the smoke or caught a glimpse of the fire through the stands, we caught the scent of wood smoke carried on the wind. They're clearing and landscaping pockets of Frame Heath Enclosure, it looks like they're restoring the landscape to open wet heathland, as it would've been nearly 200 years ago pre forestry activities. When established these heathland pockets added to the deciduous and coniferous mosaic create wonderful niche environments for flora and fauna to flourish; they also enrich your woodland walking experience offering you opportunities to spot wildlife you may have otherwise missed; the smaller pockets have an air of magical grove to them too...which is nice.

Season for long shadows

With the autumn sun raking through the stands, it's the season for long shadows. And possibly wet feet. Seasons change is beginning to have a noticeable effect on the forest, with the ground becoming increasingly wet and quaggy, so much so that a straight course can only be maintained through bloodymindedness and disregard for your footwear. The wet season hasn't really begun, either. The rains haven't just mired the ground and filled the streams, they've also brought down quite a few leaves. The canopies are rapidly emptying, worrying, as we're still waiting for that last huzzah the trees gift us before their final fall. I reckon it'll be swift, if and when it comes.