Gloomy time of year

We live among wonders of nature but at this time, unless bulbs are sprouting, it can be rather grim and miserable looking.

That applied particularly to Pipe Hill Heathland where I stopped to stretch my legs after a bit of shopping. The bracken had been cut back and, although the paths had been stripped back enough to walk, the tiny reserve of rare heathland was looking rather neglected.

I found some colour in a gorse bush amid the grey. 

In certain light, this spot is beautiful, but today it summed up that dismal quality before things return to life.