Heathland haircut

 

I've mentioned in the past how the forest is a far from natural environment requiring endless maintenance to preserve the status quo; a couple of weeks past, piles of young conifers, Scots pines, were testament to this continuous process; removed to conserve the open heathland environment. Today they were gone, evidence of their presence reduced to ash; the illusion of the timeless unchanging forest preserved in aspic is perpetuated. I imagine a couple of decades with no human interference would create a forest landscape unrecognisable to us; it wouldn't take long for woodland to encroach upon  and colonise the open heathland. Reminds you that, for the most part, woodland would be the dominant environment without out interference.

Owl

I've never done the 'Geocaching' thing, I do though appear to have a knack of finding them hidden out in the forest. I'm well into double figures now. I've never found one in such a lovely box as the one discovered today. Usually they're in Tupperware boxes (or similar), and this one was too, though inside was a beautifully carved Owl box, with a natty sliding outer lid and smaller internal lid, a really lovely thing. Nice.

Fritham Cross Hill

The landscape can play tricks on you, this ancient Oak, hollowed out by lightning and time, often hides in plain sight. Stuck out on a exposed and open hillside you'd think you notice it right away, though it can be hard to spot. Lovely setting, mind. And worth a visit to say hello.