Tuesday 8 June 2010

Exploring new territories.

Late yesterday morning I parked the car at a location I have not walked before and decided to explore.
My unplanned route began by descending downhill through mixed woodland; the floor carpet beneath my feet previously blue was now green as the Bluebells have turned to seed; there were various pathway junctions and I just let my senses choose the way forward. A view opens up over farmland as I follow a path surrounded by large drifts of Herb Robert and then the sky is in full view as I cross a field sown with grasses and a lone tree on the horizon. Dropping downhill I climb a style and enter another area of open woodland. Around the grassy glades there were many spikes of Foxgloves and  the flat-topped flowerheads on the Spear Thistles were starting to open attracting various flying insects.

As this exploration was totally unplanned I carried no map just a sense of the location and likely lay of the land in my head......So how do I remember the route homeward?
By leaving signs that indicated my previous choice of direction; a bent fern frond, a scrubbed arrow in the dirt and a grouping of twigs (either of these could be disturbed by other walkers); remembering specific landmarks  and.....  
...of course there were a few man-made signs to guide the way (some more helpful than others); a particular coppiced tree; noting the prevailing direction of the wind through the grass and even checking the sun's location (if it wasn't hidden behind clouds) to assist with my direction finding. All skills learnt as a youngster when I would regularly wander for miles and miles around the countryside where I grew up.
A few bugs that sat reasonably still including Cardinal beetles, Bumble Bee, Ladybirds and if anyone could ID the orange beastie (top right) I would be very grateful.
Other wildife encounters included a Large Red Damselfly, Blackbird singing, Speckled Wood and a very young Roe Deer who promptly dashed away after giving me a quick look over. 
On my return journey back to the car, some four hours later, similar sounds were also heard including a juvenille Long-tailed Tit waiting to be fed by its parents above my head. I did also encounter a 'dragon' but that will have to wait for another post. In the meantime, have fun enjoying your wildlife, whatever the weather.    FAB.  

20 comments:

  1. This was another lovely walk with you and your camera. As always, it was quite enjoyable. Thank you.

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  2. I love exploring new places. Looks to be somewhere for regular visits Frank. Lovely selection of pictures too.

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  3. A good few insects are putting life together. Lovely pictures.

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  4. A wonderful collection of collages. I love it mate.

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  5. Lois. As always I'm pleased you came alone, so to speak.

    Keith. I acually ended up on Bookham Common, a regular haunt so have found another access point and worth further investigation.

    Bob. More insects than birds at the moment.

    Nick. Appreciate your approval.

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  6. Frank, that was a lovely walk with an excellent tour guide. That orange beastie is a handsome bug! ~karen

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  7. Thanks Karen, the stroll just took a little longer than expected! A colourful chap and hopefully someone will actually know what it is.

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  8. I would love to have gone on this walk with you - so many great things to see as well as photograph! That orange beastie certainly popped out w/ his color!

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  9. Very enjoyable! I don't know what the orange beasty is though. Nice variety today (as always).

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  10. Love the collages. I have to admit, the first one I clicked on was the "orange beastie".

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  11. Looks like you have found another good place to visit Frank.

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  12. What a great assortment of photos Frank. Beautiful!!

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  13. Enjoyed sharing the walk with you, Frank. Insects are a very interesting and colorful group, but I haven't seen anything like that orange one here on the eastern shore - at least not in our backyard. Enjoy the blog break and see you on the return.

    ps. my new flower and insects postings are being delayed until the new PC gets delivered and set up...hopefully by the weekend.

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  14. What a strange creature that orange one is! It looks like a cross between a Cicada and a Grasshopper! I can't wait to find out what it is :)

    Maybe you could put a pic up in the Spring watch message board and see if anyone knows what it is?

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  15. SIMPLY SUBLIME Compositions of splendid green and Nature!!!!

    FABULOUS!!

    ciao ciao elvira

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  16. Hi everyone. We have just returned from a trip away so catching up slowly with all your kind comments and I still have to ID the 'orange beastie'!

    Shelly. Always nice to have your company.

    Mona. Thanks.

    Wilma. Yeah, it certainly stood out against the greenery!

    Roy. Just another route to access a regular haunt.

    Ginnymo. Thank you very much.

    Beatrice. I hope the PC is now sorted...I'll be popping by as soon as we sort out the household chores!!

    Gaina. Thanks for the suggestion...I'll see what I can find out.

    Elvira. Thank you, I'll be in touch very soon. ciao ciao FAB.

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  17. What an intersting view from this explorationn! A lot of wonderful impressions - thank you! Greetings from Luzia.

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  18. Greetings Luzia. Thank you.

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  19. I've had fun catching up with your June postings. The photos are fabulous as always. With your camera and photographer's eye, you make the insects as fascinating and beautiful as the birds!
    I would love to be listening to the blackbird sing. That was a bird I loved when we traveled to England--so different from our "blackbirds," more like a dark thrush. I kept following one around outside a restaurant in Grasmere, just listening and looking at the amazing cheerful bird.

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  20. Hi Kay. Thank you. Our Blackbird is definitely a cheerful songster whose liquid repertoire starts our days very early every day. I hope to catch up with your posts very soon.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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