Targets

There's no shortage of either the incomers or their targets this year.

Burning Bush

Nobody should be entitled to an opinion on the value of wilder land as against managed land who has not watched the autumn sun rising over birch and bracken. They should certainly not be allowed to get away unchallenged with sweeping statements that both are weed species upon which war must be declared using the term 'bashing'.

Moses was not observed to be present but perhaps in his way the deity was speaking.

Not far away others were present waiting for the sun to reach their hideaway.

More pictures taken around sunrise this lovely autumn morning .

2013-11-10

Seniority

A movement behind a Rowan shows the difference between the two stags dominating  Blacka.

Each has a couple of hinds with him and at least one young calf.
How many times they have met is anyone's guess but the older one is of a bigger build and both seem satisfied with the way things have turned out. The one below is obviously the senior of the two.

The impression I have is that the older hinds are with the older stag.
This is one of the younger ones.

And close to the stag is one of this year's calves.

Immoderate

Each year there comes a morning like this and I stand here and take a photo. And each year I look at the result and say this goes too far and get tempted to moderate the colours.The aim is simply to be as accurate as possible with the equipment available. But when the sun is low and the trees are as they are the camera cannot be blamed.

Not everyone is lucky enough to be here on one of these days. A few of the scenes are here.

Partitioning

So it looks like the old 16 point stag has been spending his time around this section all the time with his own small group of hinds. They've not been easy to see and the colour of bracken in autumn means their coats are well disguised. I've tried to find him several times.

Many people must have gone past them unaware of their presence.

Meanwhile the ten point stag has had his own little group further over. Maybe an agreement had been reached to partition the moor into two territories.

The Eastern Moors Partnership (RSPB/NT) have been constructing fencing across Wimble Holme Hill.

This eyesore is testament to the half hearted commitment to some tree cover. The idea is that their sheep or cattle won't eat up the young trees, but only where the fence keeps them out. So it's really about farming. Why on earth they can't leave all farm livestock off the whole moor is beyond rational explanation. That way no fence and no partition would be necessary. Certainly the reason, if that's what it is, given on the notice is hardly persuasive.

Wouldn't the views be better all round with more trees on the highest points rather than just in gullies etc.?

There should really be more of this.

Proficiency

It was suggested that SWT should be given responsibility for maintaining the area around the Town Hall in the city centre. Then those councillors and officers responsible for handing over the lease on Blacka Moor to the charity would be able to admire the quality of work on a daily basis and congratulate themselves on their wise decision.

These bags of shredded rhododendron timber have been standing here for several months now and look like being a permanent fixture after one day's work. Prior to that the logs had been standing around for an even longer period. It is part of SWT's work practice to drag out a job for as long as possible like the builders who disappear for weeks on end part way through building your extension.

The ivy here appeared a few days ago on their composting containers once intended to contain bracken. Now why would anyone feel the need to remove ivy from woodland? Answers on a postcard please.

Two piles of oak leaves have now appeared in the car park. That's right. A nature reserve is not where trees should be allowed to drop their leaves.

Vive!

There have to be places that are different to parks and gardens, that celebrate forces that are entirely natural. Thank God there are still some that the managers have been kept away from. Vive the difference. Everywhere you look there are splendid scenes illuminated by the low sun and bands of fiery bracken.

This scene though deserves a further look.

Everyone who comes over the hill and looks down over the bank of woodland here is entranced by the beauty, whatever the season, and autumn is arguably at least as marvellous as spring. But look behind and you see the over managed arid look of the higher land to the north. Can anyone claim that should look as it does when they know its appearance is due to the exploitation over the years resulting from the selfish demands of pampered wealthy individuals for grouse to shoot?