Rushmere and a Pocket Wood

I chose to take a look at woodland close to quarries as the likely subjects for pictures and turned off the A5 towards Heath and Reach, eventually I found the Brickhill Road and passed Rushmere Country Park with a commercial Car Park, but I was seeking somewhere more secluded, and continuing beyond, found a much smaller parking area, where there was free parking.

From the edge of the parking area was an excellent view of a splendid, much modernised farmhouse which intermittently was lit brightly by the sun, whilst the fields and trees around were shaded by passing clouds. Towering above and beyond were Cumulus clouds. I stood awhile trying to time it such that some of the foreground was in shadow whilst the sun played on the building, all the while a tractor could be heard as it was hard at work in the field close to the house.

I then wandered into the woodland along the tracks amongst the ferns with dappled sunlight filtering through the foliage of the tall trees, trying to capture the beauty of the abundant ferns when backlit. Also the first signs of approaching autumn tints were to be seen in amongst the many shades of green. There was a slight breeze blowing fitfully, which meant the light was constantly changing. But clouds bring rain, which at first was hesitant and light, but it soon became apparent I was in for a shower.

I returned to the car and eventually moved further along the road taking the intersecting lanes that seemed less used, to where I found a small fenced area of grass with a nesting box at the edge and what seemed more like a floral grave in the middle. The shower had passed, but the cloud cover remained almost total. It was the aptly named Pocket Wood – a mere acre of woodland open to the public. Upon further investigation it turned out the local Parish Council had built a small circular pond and a winding circular pathway through the woods. At first I could hear the sounds of ducks but I never caught sight of any and their sounds ceased as I took to the path.

It had been an interesting interlude providing rural woodland textures, light and shade.