2024 General photos thread

[4wd]

Although gloomy January days aren't especially conducive for photography misty conditions can be atmospheric especially early and late.
I was over the moor for feed bags and liked this bright area some 15 miles away but up there you struggle for something in foreground, I got down to here which wasn't quite as good an angle on the lit background but still not a bad shot.



From further back this 'special' bit of road is eye-catching.
They have used it for an advert featuring every permutation of Ford Transits in convoy, and it has featured in Top Gear at least a couple of times.



Why exactly it takes this course is unclear since it isn't particularly avoiding obstacles - but it must have evolved naturally following easiest route well before it was surfaced.
(Behind camera) The modern road is often just alongside a deeply incised track used by horse drawn wagons.

[4wd]

These were unplanned from four cull ewes which got in lamb early on.
But doing pretty well especially oldest big single who will be about two weeks old.

[4wd]

A few days ago just as sun came up - a rather strange soft pink hazy light over frosted fields.

[4wd]

This appeared briefly in my yard on the way to somewhere else - I had a quick look they are impressive compact machines but not a tractor as well as a loader so hard to justify here.

[4wd]

The local village caretaker and garden maintenance man has been renovating this through winter, it is now 'usable' but he doesn't have a horse to pull it.
The grand kids are going to use it as a playroom for now.
There is no power or gas inside at all just a stove.

[rgsp]

I've mentioned "Polar bear" snowdrops several times: these are they photographed yesterday (14th March)

[4wd]

While not rare nationally I found these which caused quite a stir on facebook botany group - as not recorded locally since 1990.
I'm sure they were about - but hiding though.
Quite a large area they are quite showy I thought it was wood anemones as I approached.
Sweet Violets in less common white form.

[4wd]

Two from today under usual glowering sky.
Blackthorn always makes a show the cowslips I have a thing for and gather seeds to sow when I remember.
But these are happy here and are increasing on their own a by that wall is quite poor subsoil stuff after building work.

These taken with new-ish refurb pixel 6 it does do good photos and video.





The trick with cowslip seeds is to pick the whole stem when seeds are formed probably in June but no need to wait until they are fully ripe - and let hem dry on newspaper inside.
Then break the heads up so most seeds fall out, you can sow the whole mix but important part is they need light and a cold period after sowing so on the surface at about Christmas.
Often there are micro bare spots in a suitable grass area which is ideal.
They like places where grass is not that vigorous for any reason even rabbity areas can work as they nibble them but don't usually eat them all. Not all that fussy about sun or part shade.

They like being crowded together, if you try to separate any out or transplant they will likely die.
So seed is best way putting small pinch where you think a clump might thrive, and just leave them be.