Douglas Firs can be found spread all over the forest, their majestic form easily noticable amoungst the smaller trees, truly a giant of the forest.
Evening time along the Ober water below Markway Bridge is a popular watering spot for woodland animals; the banks of this narrow section of waterway, recently remodelled, though deep in places currently running shallow over its gravel beds, frequently sees scores of Deer, Ponies, Cows, all manner of birds and occasionally Foxes. Tonight was no exception. The introduction of a dog soon cleared the banks of Deer sending them scurrying for cover, leaving Ponies and Cows unperturbed to graze and drink alone. On a nearby rise two medium sized Stags watched on, weary of the potential predator, yet holding their ground; they watched as we followed the stream. 
The lack of water in the land is at its most noticeable in the streams of the northern forest, smaller catchment areas and minimal rain have contributed to several streams being reduced to gravel tracks. Linford Brook is one such stream, the water still runs, but now invisible to the eye, below sun dried stones, occasionally pooling in dark stagnant ponds. Most of Linford Brooks tributaries are completely dry, the pond on Greenford Bottom, which earlier in the year overflowed with tadpoles, is nothing more than a rapidly drying mud hole. Makes you think about water, I'm reasonably sure that at some point the rains will come and the brook will flow strongly once again, what must it be like not to be sure......shit. 
After several days of rain the sky cleared towards evening time allowing clear skys with just enough cloud low on the horizon to make an interesting sunset. Backley Holmes is an open area of neatly manicured grassland dotted with a few mature Oaks set in the high central plateau of the forest. Once assessable via a passing forest road between Burley and the north forest, the site would have been an ideal site for summer picnics, now though, the road is decommissioned and decayed, truncated by the A31, and the Holmes only really accessible after a lengthy walk.
The 200 year old Oaks of Broomy enclosure (1809) are decked in their summer finery, bedded in a thick sea of ferns, now reaching their full height. Lush, verdant and vibrant, the woodland exudes life.
Red Rise Brook meanders through Oak woodland at Markway Bridge, beyond the road the brook becomes Ober Water and travels through mainly open grass and heath until Puttles Bridge were it enters woodland fringe again, but for now it glides quietly through dappled shade. Dry weather transforming what was a racing flood a few months ago to no more than a trickle barely covering the stream bed in places. The wheel keeps on turning.
The view from the Hasley Enclosure over the wet heathland of Ogdens Purlieu. Hasley enclosure was created in 1846, when it was planted with Oak, Sweet Chestnut and some Larch and Pine. Today only remnants remain around the eastern fringes of the woodland as during the 1960' areas were cleared and replanted with Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock and Scots Pine. This area is particularly beautiful, open, with an air of wild exposure; in the sun the land feels welcoming, although during the long wet months of winter the area, like others of its kind, are foreboding, dangerous underfoot and yet still you are drawn. 
Orchids, in the foreground are Violet Helleborines (rather rare) and a Pyramidal Orchid, also present were Marsh Orchis (not shown), all were present in large numbers on the slides under Hounds Tout.
Things are changing in Star city, now filled with extensive mature woodland, where city building lay in ruins after a previous event. First in a new run, Green Arrow, Brightest Day, looking and reads like a fine story, looking forward to more.
The cliffs of the Jurrasic coast are breached and obscured by the thick sea mists which flood over the cliffs and inland, filling the valleys and creating a beautiful specticale. 
The sea mists which had blanketed the Jurrasic coast retreat as the the evening turns to night, revealling Worbarrow Tout or as we know it 'Mud Mountain' after adventures climbing its side during a wet winter many years ago.
Two Deer enjoy the sunset from the ramparts of Flowers Barrow, an Iron Age hillfort on the cliff top where Ridge Hill meets the sea. They noticed us, yet continued with thier foraging, only occasionally throwing us a glance, checking we'd not crept closer.
On the morning of the 21st of June the air was clean and fresh, yet not cold as we walked along Ridge Hill before the sun had come up. The valleys below the ridge were shrouded in mist as the inhabitants of the valleys numerous hamlets and farms slept. Still standing watch over the natural path through Ridge Hill at Corfe is the towns castle, its ruined form appeared strange and mystical caught between the sunrise and the mists.
The continued light rains have been sufficient in quantity to refresh and replenish the burgeoning plant life covering the valleys and bluffs around Worth Matravers. The path down to the redundant quarry at Winspit, and the sea, is flanked by lush and verdant growth, all the colours of the rainbow are represented amongst the summer herbs, meadow flowers and narrow swathes of shrub woodland; the Elder flowers are beginning to weigh the flimsy branches down, it's looking like a bumper year. 
Two newly born foals nestle amongst the tussocks of rough grass, burnt a season or two ago; laying about 20m apart, their mothers are grazing nearby. The foals are odd looking, yet fantastically cute, all gangling legs and head. These were born very recently and appear quiet weak, usually foals are on their feet within 2 hours, these two were still unable stand, although one was trying valiantly. 
I didn't know Townley Shenton, whose memorial seat is sited on the highest point of the undulating ridge which runs above Kimmeridge Bay. The inscription on his seat says that he liked this view and hoped we would too, well I do, it is fantastic and no mistake. Top spot Townley.
On the ridge overlooking Dockens Water, amongst the the predominantly Oak, Yew and Holly woodland, is an ephemeral earthwork. This earthwork is a sub rectangular enclosure, with a shallow ditch and a grassy bank surrounding the enclosed area; possibly never substantial, these features are now hardly noticeable. The enclosed area isn't large, it would have contained accommodation for royal hunting parties and little more; there are several similar sites around the forest. These sites date back to medieval phases of forest use. 
The shallow valley through which Ober Water flows is particularly alive, the clear water, the moist fresh grasses and its open nature all combine to make it a focus for wildlife activity. A valley of unique quality, where several geological and natural factors have conspired to create an area of wild beauty; the interface of wood and heathland, fed with the waters of life by a small steam originating in the central high plateau and later to become the Lymington River. 
