The Roots of the Forest

Bircham Valley local nature reserve is a small oasis of calm, surrounded by industrial and commercial units, a hospital, housing and currently a major new road development. It has no car parks and access points are not easy to find. Although within walking distance of home, today was my first visit. The reserve consists of woodland, marsh, grassland and open scrub-land. This image of the moss-covered tree roots was taken in the deciduous woodland. It has been edited to retain the colour of the fallen beech leaves, and give added presence to  the shape and form of the roots and trunks. Although not true to life, it seemed to enhanse the winter mood of the image and impart an air of mystery.