Heath Spotted Orchid

The acid soils of the New Forest heathland and bog are perfect for Heath Spotted Orchids (Dactylorhiza maculata), which are currently popping up all over the place. There's a rolling succession of flora in the forest, everything has it's time to shine, and it's their time now. 

The Triquetra

 

Placed in a natural fissure on a sturdy forest gate post, a Triquetra crafted from braided natural fibres. Bracken maybe, thinking about it. A symbol commonly associated with triads such as the Triple Goddess in paganism and later with the Holy Trinity in Christianity, a symbol familiar to the Celtic, Norse and Germanic peoples. Whoever created this one may have done so with a specific purpose in mind, or it could just have been art for art sake, either way, nice.  The world needs more magic.

Green Ford

 

Green Ford

 

Ice

The forest now has a proper wintry feel to it. I saw my first real ice of the season whilst out briefly in the forest today. The water in the puddles through Linford Bottom has been transformed, liquid made solid, all were capped in a good thickness of clear ice. The ice on some puddles has been smashed, with the broken pieces spread and looking like shattered glass. I dig winter when it's cold, I'd rather it be cold than wet.