A Winter Woodland 1

First the snow came as a light dusting, like icing on the twigs and branches.  Then overnight, the big flakes fell – snow on snow – and the forest was transformed….

A Winter Woodland 2

Bony winter branches now weigh heavy beneath the snow as sunlight streams through the trees to a sparkling floor.  Like a magical icy kingdom, Epping Forest falls silent, muffled by undulating drifts.

A Winter Woodland 3

BaldHiker Social Walks

The silence is broken by the shrill squawks of magpies and jays.  They have discovered a pile of breadcrumbs left for them, a simple act of kindness.   In a time of food scarcity, such a feast draws a raucous reception – and a varied crowd.

A Winter Woodland 4

A Winter Woodland 5

Smaller birds sit and wait for the boisterous jays before they too join the feast.  A flurry of activity, flapping feathers and chirping as tiny blue tits, great tits and even a nuthatch dart to and fro; plucking breadcrumbs and flying off to their perches on young beech trees.

A Winter Woodland 6

A Winter Woodland 7

The bright copper leaves of the beech trees hang heavy with snow.  Unlike other deciduous trees, their leaves cling on to winter branches, a splash of colour between the dark, bare branches of neighbouring trees.

A Winter Woodland 8

Whilst very beautiful, winter is a harsh time for woodland residents.  But the thaw has already begun with the rustle of snow slipping from trees.  The magic of Spring is just around the corner….

A Winter Woodland 9

A Winter Woodland 10

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2 Comments

  1. Sarah Rees says:

    Thanks guys! It was actually relatively easy to photograph the birds as they were so hungry – they were enticed by breadcrumbs!

    1. Barbara kelly says:

      Beautiful pictures! I am fan of nature and and mother nature when she is at her calm and tranquil. The snow scenes with the sun a glow just awesome.

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