A walk in Simons Wood

It was very hot yesterday so we decided to take the dogs to Simons Wood where there's plenty of shade.

Decades of fallen leaves have bequeathed a soft, friable surface, soundless under foot and paw. There is an abundance of Scots pines in the wood and they were releasing clouds of pollen with their wonderful scent. The solemn mien of the pines is alleviated by the uncurling fronds of bracken, the grace and brightness of silver birch and the wild rhododendrons which are everywhere in abundance throughout this area.
Jenna is still not allowed free exercise. She recently finished her anti-inflammatory medication and after a few days she started a course of Cartrophen (Pentosan Polysulphate Sodium) injections to regenerate her damaged joints. She has had two at weekly intervals so far and will have another two in the next fortnight, then she will have monthly shots and finally, hopefully, annual boosters. This compound is not licensed for use in humans as it must not be used with steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin. Animals do not have free access to over-the-counter analgesics but humans do and a mixture of the two could be fatal! There is a large lake in Simons Wood with a small island in the middle where Canada geese nest each year.

Mallards and coots abound but this year all the ducklings and coot chicks and most of the goslings have disappeared. There are no pike in the lake but three large terrapins (turtles) have been spotted and they have come under suspicion for the demise of the baby water birds. I suspect that the terrapins once lived in someone's aquarium or garden pond and were rehoused in the local lake when they became too big or troublesome to look after. (I hope no-one is keeping baby crocodiles; they wouldn't survive the winter if similarly disposed of but could do a lot of damage before the cold weather arrived! I'm joking – I trust!)

As we approached the lake Frodo's stride lengthened and he plunged into the water to cool off, followed hotfoot (hotpaw?) by Jenna and Gus. Hydrotherapy is the only unrestricted exercise Jenna can undertake at present and she thoroughly enjoys her gambols in lakes and ponds. Buddy keeps well away from all water!

As Jenna and Gus tirelessly retrieved a large stick they were joined by a pretty Golden retriever who played with them for a while.

After she had gone home, a Jack Russell bustled up. He paddled rather than swam and was really more interested in playing chase on land with Gus. Much play-growling ensued, each in turn playing the part of catcher.

Eventually, he, too, went off with his master and we realised we had been out much longer than intended and returned home. The rest of the day was quiet, the peace being disturbed only occasionally by the snores of contented dogs.

Replanting after fire

The contrast between healthy growth and bleakness is merely glimpsed in this photograph

Last July a swathe of Crowthorne forest was destroyed by fire. It's almost certain it was deliberately set but the swift arrival of several fire appliances extinguished it though the smell of burning was in the air long after the flames were doused. The Scots Pines looked very sad, blackened and burnt. These trees have a very high resin content which means that once alight they burn fiercely.

A few days after the fire Nature has not yet asserted her dominance but the sterility, though shocking, will be transitory.

At ground level green soon reappeared though the trees remained blackened skeletons as reminders of someone's folly.

Young saplings in the foreground, 5 or 6-year-old trees in the midground and mature pines in the background. 

However, the forest is a working concern managed by the Forestry Commission and in February the burnt area was cleared and replanted with Scots Pine. In just seven or eight years these saplings will be approaching 6' in height. For the present they are spikes of green hopefulness.

Newly-turned and planted soil offers enticing scents.

Crowthorne Forest is one of three local Sites of Special Scientific importance, areas which are selected and monitored by English Nature because of their particular flora, fauna, geological or physical features. Reputed to have been a tract of Henry VIII's hunting forest it is also part of the internationally important Thames Basin Special Protection Area. Three rare European ground or low shrub-nesting birds breed here - the nightjar, Dartford warbler and woodlark. It is also one of the most important sites in the country for dragonflies and damselflies. 24 of the 38 species in the UK breed here.

Shadow Shot Sunday #90

It was a lovely bright day in the forest today. It was very warm in the sun and very cold when the wind blew.

We hoped to capture Gus's first swim - but he jumped this channel easily and only paddled accidentally in the pond.

The sky really was beautifully blue

Thanks go to Tracy from 'Hey Harriet' who organises and hosts this meme each week. To see more shadowy shots please click here.

SkyWatch Friday Season 4 Episode 29

 

We have had many grey skies recently but it has been dry if a little chilly. Last Sunday there were some clouds hanging in the sky.

A little later the sun broke through and transformed the mood of the late afternoon.

The sun gilded the tops of the Scots pines and enhanced the pink buds of the Silver Birches. Since this photograph was taken the plantsmen from the Forestry Commission have planted Scots pine saplings in the furrows.  These replaced the earlier little trees that disappeared without trace. Inevitably some have already been uprooted.

Two days later the sky was afire as the sun set. Poplars and oaks stood starkly skeletal in the wonderful light. 

Thank you to the SkyWatch team for all their efforts in hosting this lovely meme. If you would like to see more skies please click here.