Due to a bout of unseasonable weather for Kate’s birthday we were able to take an extended wander around Westonbirt, taking in both the Old Arboretum and Silkwood, a really great way to spend a day. Here are a few of the shots taken, including some wildlife shots from a distance (increasing the need for an extended lens). Also the Magnolias were out in force! We also managed to divert from the seasonal route to take in the 2000 year old lime, prompting a lookout for the other 50 trees dedicated during the golden jubilee.
macro
Another wander at Westonbirt, this time approaching dusk. Hopefully one of these shots will wind up copetition worthy.
On the same note, you too can enter the Westonbirt Autumn Photo competition: http://www.flickr.com/groups/autumn-westonbirt-competition/ and if you need a day for it, then I can vouch for the fact the amazing colours will definetley still be there tomorrow.
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- Heavy Autumn Shower
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- November Rain
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- Autumn Spectrum
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- A winter scene in Autumn
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- The Hanging Autumn Leaves
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- Park Bench in Autumn
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- More Maple Reds
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- Heights of the Maple Loop
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- Water Droplets on the remaining greenery
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- Forest of Mushrooms and Maples
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- Maple Reds
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- Thoroughly into dusk
Having finally got hold of my new car, what better way to try it out and take advantage of the extra hour on offer than an early morning trip to the beautiful Autumn colour display on offer at Westonbirt Arboretum. It really is looking amazing, and I would say you’ve probably got another couple of weeks available to see the best of it, so get your walking boots on and get on over.
A venture around the Arboretum at Westonbirt in the rain showed up a few photographic opportunities.
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- A wet fern at Westonbirt Arboretum
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- A leaf in the rain at Westonbirt
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- Contrasting leaf colours at the Arboretum
A few days of wandering in the countryside gave me the opportunity to take some macro shots of various flowers and insects, these included a day at Westonbirt Arboretum. If you have never found the time to visit I seriously recommend it, we visit regularly and things so frequently change, especially worth a visit in the autumn for some truly breathtaking vistas.
Westonbirt is an historic, Victorian picturesque landscape and an internationally important tree and shrub collection. It is managed by the Forestry Commission and supported by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum.
The 16,000 trees (3,000 different specimens) come from Britain, China, North America, Japan, Chile and other temperate climates.
Children running on a path through bluebellsWithin the 17 miles of accessible paths and five national collections, children become young adventurers, adults connect with trees through guided walks, workshops, self-led trails or volunteering.
Visit the forestry commission’s Westonbirt website
A holiday in the South West, we had the sun, we had the sights, and we had a great time. These included taking in cream tea’s, ice-cream, wildlife and the amazing gardens of Dunster castle and Dunster village.
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- The market in the middle of Dunster village
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- A close up shot at Dunster castle gardens
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- Hand shot windmill on the somerset levels
We also took a trip on to the Somerset Levels, well worth dropping by if you’re passing.
On March 26th 2010 I proposed to Kate at Westonbirt Arboretum – in the pouring rain – and after some deliberaton (or internal battling, she’s never confirmed which) she said yes. So that has cemented our connection with this amazing woodland area, and long may it continue.
I have attached a few photos from visits to the arboretum around that date.
A trip along the Nile in Egypt is without doubt a once in a lifetime holiday experience (unless you do it more than once, which I sincerely hope to one day); but that does not in anyway lessen the impact of this destination, and I will strongly recommend to everybody to take a trip to Egypt to put the human time-line and “ancient” in perspective.
Remarkably in spite of the age of so many of these great monuments they have remained more preserved than expected, due – I suspect – to hot dry climates. In protected areas coloured dyes even remain really giving you an impression of how it once was.
