PLEASE SIR, CAN MAY LAST FOREVER SIR?
It’s not a big ask, in my humble opinion. If someone could just have a word with the big man upstairs (preferably someone who’s on better terms than I……..)
You see, the month of May is everything a landscape photographer could wish for. Sunrise isn’t ridiculously early (no, that’s July and August), days are longer, warmer and sunnier, the forests are greening up in spectacular fashion, and the woodland floor is literally bursting with colour and new life. April is merely the opening act for Spring’s headliner - May in all it’s glory.
Winter seemed to hang on forever here in the UK. April began with cold grey days and rain, lots of rain, which is not ideal for those of us who just want to be outdoors. On days when I ventured out, there were very few signs of Spring’s arrival although the birds were busy nest building ( our nest boxes remain unoccupied for a second year in a row, despite several viewings from the locals), and the snowdrops put on a great display but it was bitterly cold with a north easterly wind dominating for a couple of weeks. The early lambs must have been freezing their little fleeces off! Still, it made for a predictable conversation at the supermarket checkout. Patience needed…..
May came galloping over the hill just when we needed it most, and it was definitely worth the wait. I’ve spent the last fortnight photographing the gradual transition from wood sorrel and bluebells to ramsons and what a display it’s been. Social media has been saturated with images of Spring woodland and this year’s showing in South Wales has been spectacular. I’ve also visited several sites in the Forest of Dean and it never disappoints. The bluebells are past their peak now and the ramsons are in full bloom, filling the woodland with that unmistakeable garlic scent that I love so much. I’ve spent this morning in a beech woodland less than five miles from Cardiff and despite the occasional sound of traffic on the A470 it was the perfect time to capture Spring at its best. Of course timing is important in these instances but it gives me an excuse to regularly return to favourite spots so it’s hardly a chore ! When I look at the paths lined in blue and white it’s hard now to imagine the drab, colourless landscape I moaned about a couple of blogs ago. It’s almost worth all the midge bites…….
I’ve also previously written about the threats our woodlands increasingly face. Successive administrations at both local and national level have enabled developers to buy up parcels of land adjacent to ancient woodland and despite objections planning permission always seems to be granted. I read recently that a local planning authority not far from where I live had raised no issues with a riverside development citing no possibility of wildlife impact or reqirement for special National Resource Wales Licence. Rather predictably, there are otter holts within 30 metres of a proposed bridge which raises so many questions about who carried out the survey (if indeed one took place) and why this was overlooked. Objections have piled in. Changes to legislation involving development of green spaces could be another step too far so, as I’ve droned on about (and will continue to), make the most of our precious green spaces while you still can.
May has one more trick up its sleeve for us photographers as its the last month with proper astrological dark until the end of Summer. So despite the night skies only being truly dark for two or three hours this month it’s the last opportunity to properly capture the newly returned galactic cores for some time. By the end of the month sunrise will be at 05:00 with astrological twilight beginning two hours earlier which makes a four hour round trip difficult to justify, so there’s a need to pick and choose locations carefully. There’s still plenty to see in what remains of May however. The International Space Station transits southern skies on May 19th at around 22:30 and there’s a new moon on the 20th so get out and have couple of hours stargazing if the skies are clear.
So May definitely gets douze points from me and I wish it could last forever. Folks simply smile a lot more when they’re out walking in beautiful woodland surroundings and even squirrel-chasing dogs are a little more bouncy than normal. If the good weather holds we may be in for a spectacular few weeks and although I’ll be sorry when bluebell and ramson season ends at least we get to see it every year, so long may it continue. The clock’s ticking by the way so don’t miss out on this special time of year.
Many hours spent doing something I love is a privilege I never take for granted. Creating images is the icing on the cake and I’m pleased I’ve captured some keepers this year but it’s ok if I don’t because I can have another go next year (God willing). The seasons seem to fly by though and it will soon be time for the June blooms of foxglove, cowslips and evening primrose. Blink and you’ll miss ‘em. But for me they can’t compare with the riches of May and the promise it brings.
So if someone can arrange for May to hang around forever I’d be very happy ! In the words of Morrissey:
So please, please, please
Let me, let me, let me
Let me get what I want
This time……
Finally, despite all this time in the woods I haven’t seen one vicar…….. (with a nod to Mr Anthony Poole, the best teacher ever).
