Woods

I love trees at this time of year. Without leaves, the branches become visible. Those covered in lichens have a greenish tinge and stand out from the background of fallen leaves on the hillside. There is still a little colour at the end of some of the branches - possibly seeds that haven't fallen yet, or the beginnings of next spring's buds. There is some brighter green where the trunks are covered in ivy.

When all of this is combined with beautiful light from a low sun, a mist just brushing the tops of the valley sides, reflections of the trees in the river down to which they march and fresh frosty air to breathe in, it makes for a singing heart and open-mouthed wonder when you are standing there looking at the scene.

This was the first time I'd been down to the river for a few weeks - a combination of being busy and poor weather conditions. It was raining when I got up, and I nearly didn't go, but it was a bit brighter out to the West, so I took a chance and went. I had to wait in the car for a couple of minutes when I arrived, but then the sky began to clear and the sun produced this amazing light - with only three other people beside myself there to share it.