BACK TO NATURE

Hello forest. It’s been a while. Three months to be exact…..

The end of lockdown is in sight here in Wales. Since March 13th we’re allowed to travel up to five miles and at the end of the next review, in three weeks, it looks like we can travel anywhere in the country. It’s the light at the end of a very dark Winter.

Monday March 15th was my first opportunity to get out with the camera, so the natural choice for me was my local forest to look for signs of Spring. Here in the higher Welsh valleys Spring comes late, so I knew there wouldn’t be acres of snowdrops and daffs but I was hoping for some buds on trees and the occasional bird’s nest under construction.

When you haven’t done something for a quarter of a year, things don’t immediately come naturally (insert your own jokes here…) so after making a flask of hot, sweet coffee and throwing the camera bag in the car, I made the short drive to the forest wondering if we ever lose our connection with nature or just need to re-kindle it on a regular basis. Three months of not walking with a heavy camera back pack, three months of not pulling on over-trousers and wellies. It all felt a bit awkward to be honest, but I hoped I’d soon get into my stride, lack of stamina permitting. I think I knew the answer to the nature connection puzzle but it occupied my thoughts as I set off.

There would be no epic sunrise, too much cloud for that, but the rain had stayed away for a change and the wind had dropped to a whisper. Being in the forest as dawn breaks is one of my favourite things, a time to slow down and relish the solitude, while listening to birds filling the canopy with song. It was Autumn when I was last here and the trees were in full golden leaf then. Not so today. It all looks a bit dull and flat at first sight but there’s beauty hidden everywhere if you look long enough.

A part of me hoped nothing had changed, but nature doesn’t work like that. It’s too busy managing the seasons to hang around for humans to return. So that part of me hoped that the pause in human activity had given the land time to reclaim the paths and hedges and drystone walls. There are no upland sheep in this area so all the tracks are made by foxes and badgers, narrow but obvious when you know what to look for. They’re kind enough to leave me the occasional paw print so I know they’re still about. There’s a pretty substantial sett in there but I skirt it so as not to disturb the locals.

After a couple of miles I stop for a coffee. OK, I stop to catch my breath - my fitness has suffered during lockdown and there’s lard to shed in the coming weeks! There’s a spot I like to find where the forest borders open land and on a broken branch there are clear signs the Barn Owl is still roosting there, waiting for prey to show themselves. As I enjoy my coffee I try to picture him swooping down from the canopy, bringing death on the wing for some small unfortunate mouse or vole. The pellets at the tree’s base contain evidence of recent success. I’ll be back with the long lens later in the year, when I hope he’ll pose for a couple of portraits for me.

The eastern side of the valley is being logged at the moment. I hate it, but understand that this forest wouldn’t be here if lumber wasn’t valuable and the truth is commercial plantations provide much-needed jobs. The landscape is scarred though and the presence of machinery just feels wrong. I won’t cross the valley today - there’s no beauty there while all this is going on.

After a couple of hours I’m still looking for signs of Spring. Even the beautiful silver birches in the old growth areas haven’t revealed any catkins yet. The pine carpet in the plantation may be easy on the feet but it’s not a great bed for woodland flowers. I’ve never seen snowdrops here, although there’ll be daffs near the car park soon and we can expect some lesser celandine later on in the year. No, this forest is a haven for mushrooms come Autumn, one of the best I know, so let’s allow it to play to its strengths.

The breeze is picking up now so it’s time to head home. I’m an hour from the car but it’s a fabulous walk with only a slight incline (thank goodness). Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the camera never came out of the bag but that’s for another day.

Today is about breathing it all in and re-connecting.

Goodbye for now forest. Great to see you again. I’ll be back soon (I promise).