A Wood near Old Warden

A trip out; to keep sane — the sky was clear, the sun at least provided some warmth, gathering my camera and a flask of cold orange juice, I headed out, but where to? I was not certain, but the idea was to head east on the A421, and then towards Old Warden and Southill. Upon arrival, I drove around and found a small wood that promised to offer possibilities for photography. I parked up, and even before entering the small park, I had found interesting subjects — frost-rimed leaves, having wandered along the hedge outside the entrance gate initially, then walking along the path a lone cat appeared and began walking towards me, and despite almost merging into the background I managed a couple of shots, before it disappeared somewhere into the undergrowth.

After briefly looking around for the cat, I continued my walk along the path, and now the sun was supplying warmth to the leaves I was photographing. I continued walking and capturing more open scenes, and even an overflying light aircraft, probably based at the nearby Old Warden airfield. Before arriving at a far more open stretch, I spotted an interesting roof loft designed specifically for nesting doves. Soon my walk took me out into the open from which I got a few shots of an old, but well preserved long barn. The open field was on my left, and led out back onto the road; I walked a short way along to the right capturing shots of berries on sprigs of Holly, before retracing my steps back the way I had come, and spotting fresh pink flowers which resembled dog roses. I stopped to get a couple of shots, and they appeared far more complex than dog roses, so maybe they were a different species.

During the return trip to my car, I briefly met a a couple of others with whom I chatted, and one man sporting a Canon, I even gave one of my cards to, as he seemed interested in learning how to get to grips with Photoshop, perhaps he might look up the blog and make contact, unless my keeping him talking upset his good lady!

Once again the trip out with a camera, was good for my soul, and I enjoyed the exercise and fresh air.