In Search of Spring ....again
10th March 2015
In search of Spring
(Caw Fell, Ennerdale, Screes ....Buzzards, Hares, frog Spawn, Snipe, Long tail tits, Lambs, crocuses and dafs ......now snow again).
For me winter is over. Or at least I want it to be over as I am desperately looking forward to Spring. The days are getting longer and like the wildlife around, this change has stimulated a sense, or need for brighter, warmer days, filled with more life and noise.
Over the last few days I have wandered over a range of areas in the Lake District. I have ascended the great Wastwater Screes, seeing not a soul all day. Throughout the walk, due to the light and bustle of birds in the trees, I was sensing that spring might pounce at any moment. A tangible symbol of Spring's ascendency was demonstrated by the multitude of pools filled with thick layers of Frog Spawn I encountered in the wild Mitterdale valley.
I was surprised both at the volume and the precariousness of the situation these developing frogs found themselves. Perched high on the steep southern slopes of Whin Rigg, exposed to the vagaries of the weather, especially as spring has not yet gained a firm grip. My fear Winter still has another hand to play. Any sudden fall in temp, or fall of snow could destroy the fragile conditions these eggs need to continue their growth. It is easy to understand why winter is often associated with death, as this new life is vulnerable at this time of year, and any sudden return to winter conditions feels cruel and wicked.
On another trip I spent a glorious sunny day walking the high ground that divides the glacially created Ennerdale and Buttermere valleys. This was not new territory, but a new way up to the tops of the hills. I had discovered a different way of approaching these Fells by using an indistinct track that ascended a small valley that had been formed by the continual flow of the frothing Rake Beck.
After some steep sections, past beautifully energetic waterfalls, the track led me to the Boulder strewn summit of Great Borne. The wind was cold, but the day bright and very warm when protected from the breeze. There were Buzzards and Ravens flying high over the steep crags that form the main wall of this 'sub valley' and I could hear the clammer of Canada Geese far below, having just landed on the rippled, turbulent surface of Ennerdale.
These Fells, on the west coast of Cumbria and set above Ennerdale are unique in the Lakes as they are made of hard, pink granite. This granite forms large, solid,round boulders, that are very distinct when compared to other mountain environments within the district. The geological composition of mica flecks, on this early Spring day, made the rock sparkle in the bright sunlight. The nature of the rock and todays weather conditions making the scene seem to shimmer like a vision of some far off mystical land.
Fnally, I spent another bright day, this time on Caw Fell. Yet again it was windy with a biting North Easterly wind, forcing me to traverse the mountain from the South west. Soon these winds will be gone with winter weather and the meteorological conditions will gradually improve.
The Sun filled skies make me care free, wanting to spread myself out, as if stretching my very soul to the world. I definitely do not want to be wrapped up in thick clothes, but the wind is too cold for the moment.
An example of how winter still has an influence on the conditions was when I stopped to take some photos. Soon my hands became numb with the cold, forcing me to continue on my walk as I needed to get warm. However, the route once again swung around to the south west side of the mountain, blocking the worst of the wind. I was now warming up, and therefore take more notice of my surroundings. To my surprise, but also to my huge pleasure, I came across some early flowering Coltsfoot. Their multi petaled - yellow flowers were like mini Suns shining up to me. Their diminutive size directly proportional to the dominance of Spring.
As I was now warmer I changed my plans and decided to walk over the extensive bog that is Caw Moss as the views from Yewtry Tarn are beautiful. As i threaded my way across the soaking mosses and grass I disturbed a Snipe that had waited until the last second to fly off in its jerky flight to land and disappear in the bog further away.
I often encounter Snipe in this manner, sudden, unexpected and frustrating and often up here on Caw Moss. This experience always reminds of the New Forest where I used encounter Snipe in just the same way as the ground was equally as wet and boggy. I never get a good enough view as the bird flies too quickly and suddenly. This leaves me always saying, as if trying to convince myself, "I think that was a Snipe!".
Later on the walk, as I joined the wood that surrounds the River Lickle, I was blessed with another wonderful experience, this time as I came across some long tails tits flitting from branch to branch, constantly chattering as they foraged for food. Then, as I emerged from the wood, I came into a glade that was decorated with newly opened crocuses and some very young looking Daffodils. These splatters of colour, set against the dull brown and washed out green of the landscape, stood out as if containing their own internal light.
The spate of my walks was over for a while, but not my experiences of Spring's emissaries, as on my drive home, over the high, narrow road that sits above Torver and Broughton Mill I was privileged to view an enormous, proud and statuesque Buzzard. It was perched on a fence post and seemed to be surveying its estate with a look of dissatisfaction at my presence. With an almost disgruntled air, the avian giant gently lifted, with the slightest beat of its wings, and glided away across the Lickle Valley. It was just at this same time, by the open gate where I was watching the Buzzard fade away across the valley, that a large Brown Hare appeared. I had not seen it at first, and it wasn't until I went to move the car forward that the Hare took its own flight. The Hare ran down the road at an amazing break neck speed and the disappeared to the safety of an open field gate.
The last few days had been bright, sunny, but cold. The days were filled with all the portents of Springs advance. However, the next day the Fells were once again covered in snow demonstrating that Winter was reluctant to leave. However, I sense, deep down that Spring is ascending just like the Larks I have encountered over the last few days and will eventually prevail. For me I am looking forward to the new seasons master.....the king is dead, long live the king?
(Caw Fell, Ennerdale, Screes ....Buzzards, Hares, frog Spawn, Snipe, Long tail tits, Lambs, crocuses and dafs ......now snow again).
For me winter is over. Or at least I want it to be over as I am desperately looking forward to Spring. The days are getting longer and like the wildlife around, this change has stimulated a sense, or need for brighter, warmer days, filled with more life and noise.
Over the last few days I have wandered over a range of areas in the Lake District. I have ascended the great Wastwater Screes, seeing not a soul all day. Throughout the walk, due to the light and bustle of birds in the trees, I was sensing that spring might pounce at any moment. A tangible symbol of Spring's ascendency was demonstrated by the multitude of pools filled with thick layers of Frog Spawn I encountered in the wild Mitterdale valley.
I was surprised both at the volume and the precariousness of the situation these developing frogs found themselves. Perched high on the steep southern slopes of Whin Rigg, exposed to the vagaries of the weather, especially as spring has not yet gained a firm grip. My fear Winter still has another hand to play. Any sudden fall in temp, or fall of snow could destroy the fragile conditions these eggs need to continue their growth. It is easy to understand why winter is often associated with death, as this new life is vulnerable at this time of year, and any sudden return to winter conditions feels cruel and wicked.
On another trip I spent a glorious sunny day walking the high ground that divides the glacially created Ennerdale and Buttermere valleys. This was not new territory, but a new way up to the tops of the hills. I had discovered a different way of approaching these Fells by using an indistinct track that ascended a small valley that had been formed by the continual flow of the frothing Rake Beck.
After some steep sections, past beautifully energetic waterfalls, the track led me to the Boulder strewn summit of Great Borne. The wind was cold, but the day bright and very warm when protected from the breeze. There were Buzzards and Ravens flying high over the steep crags that form the main wall of this 'sub valley' and I could hear the clammer of Canada Geese far below, having just landed on the rippled, turbulent surface of Ennerdale.
These Fells, on the west coast of Cumbria and set above Ennerdale are unique in the Lakes as they are made of hard, pink granite. This granite forms large, solid,round boulders, that are very distinct when compared to other mountain environments within the district. The geological composition of mica flecks, on this early Spring day, made the rock sparkle in the bright sunlight. The nature of the rock and todays weather conditions making the scene seem to shimmer like a vision of some far off mystical land.
Fnally, I spent another bright day, this time on Caw Fell. Yet again it was windy with a biting North Easterly wind, forcing me to traverse the mountain from the South west. Soon these winds will be gone with winter weather and the meteorological conditions will gradually improve.
The Sun filled skies make me care free, wanting to spread myself out, as if stretching my very soul to the world. I definitely do not want to be wrapped up in thick clothes, but the wind is too cold for the moment.
An example of how winter still has an influence on the conditions was when I stopped to take some photos. Soon my hands became numb with the cold, forcing me to continue on my walk as I needed to get warm. However, the route once again swung around to the south west side of the mountain, blocking the worst of the wind. I was now warming up, and therefore take more notice of my surroundings. To my surprise, but also to my huge pleasure, I came across some early flowering Coltsfoot. Their multi petaled - yellow flowers were like mini Suns shining up to me. Their diminutive size directly proportional to the dominance of Spring.
As I was now warmer I changed my plans and decided to walk over the extensive bog that is Caw Moss as the views from Yewtry Tarn are beautiful. As i threaded my way across the soaking mosses and grass I disturbed a Snipe that had waited until the last second to fly off in its jerky flight to land and disappear in the bog further away.
I often encounter Snipe in this manner, sudden, unexpected and frustrating and often up here on Caw Moss. This experience always reminds of the New Forest where I used encounter Snipe in just the same way as the ground was equally as wet and boggy. I never get a good enough view as the bird flies too quickly and suddenly. This leaves me always saying, as if trying to convince myself, "I think that was a Snipe!".
Later on the walk, as I joined the wood that surrounds the River Lickle, I was blessed with another wonderful experience, this time as I came across some long tails tits flitting from branch to branch, constantly chattering as they foraged for food. Then, as I emerged from the wood, I came into a glade that was decorated with newly opened crocuses and some very young looking Daffodils. These splatters of colour, set against the dull brown and washed out green of the landscape, stood out as if containing their own internal light.
The spate of my walks was over for a while, but not my experiences of Spring's emissaries, as on my drive home, over the high, narrow road that sits above Torver and Broughton Mill I was privileged to view an enormous, proud and statuesque Buzzard. It was perched on a fence post and seemed to be surveying its estate with a look of dissatisfaction at my presence. With an almost disgruntled air, the avian giant gently lifted, with the slightest beat of its wings, and glided away across the Lickle Valley. It was just at this same time, by the open gate where I was watching the Buzzard fade away across the valley, that a large Brown Hare appeared. I had not seen it at first, and it wasn't until I went to move the car forward that the Hare took its own flight. The Hare ran down the road at an amazing break neck speed and the disappeared to the safety of an open field gate.
The last few days had been bright, sunny, but cold. The days were filled with all the portents of Springs advance. However, the next day the Fells were once again covered in snow demonstrating that Winter was reluctant to leave. However, I sense, deep down that Spring is ascending just like the Larks I have encountered over the last few days and will eventually prevail. For me I am looking forward to the new seasons master.....the king is dead, long live the king?