The hermitage is a sandstone outcrop at the back of Bridgnorth or Low town as it is is called. There is a wood that runs along it and heathland below which provides a habitat for many insects. Over on my blogger blog, there is a post regarding emerging butterflies which were all taken here.
But, there are many other things besides. The habitat creates a haven for wildlife and at this time of year, there is an abundance of wildflowers. Nothing really fancy but it is almost easy to take all the colour for granted. The campions are starting to flower and pink and white flowers not only adorn the hedgerows but can be found growing in carpets between the trees.
The gorse bushes are flowering and little blue flowers form a carpet beneath some of the trees giving a misty blue effect
As I walk along, the buzzards are mewing above although probably not for long because the crows are protecting their offspring right now and will shortly dive bomb them calling out frantically. The hawthorne blossom is out in profusion and providing cover for all the newly fledged. Clumps of clover are emerging in the meadow.
The Gladness of Nature by William Cullen Bryant
Is this a time to be cloudy and sad,
When our mother Nature laughs around;
When even the deep blue heavens look glad,
And gladness breathes from the blossoming ground?
There are notes of joy from the hang-bird and wren,
And the gossip of swallows through all the sky;
The ground-squirrel gaily chirps by his den,
And the wilding bee hums merrily by.
The clouds are at play in the azure space,
And their shadows at play on the bright green vale,
And here they stretch to the frolic chase,
And there they roll on the easy gale.
There’s a dance of leaves in that aspen bower,
There’s a titter of winds in that beechen tree,
There’s a smile on the fruit, and a smile on the flower,
And a laugh from the brook that runs to the sea.
And look at the broad-faced sun, how he smiles
On the dewy earth that smiles in his ray,
On the leaping waters and gay young isles;
Ay, look, and he’ll smile thy gloom away.
As I walk along a path, I spot a youngster, this is a juvenile blackbird.
Much to my amusement, the sun pops out from behind a cloud and immediately he flops onto the path and spread his wings to sunbathe.
I see many walkers on my travels, not just up there but all over. There are some that profess to love nature but I am quite sure that they never actually get to see it! For the really good things you almost have to stop a while. Beautiful moths flutter around but they are so quick, you almost have to become stationary to spot them. At the minute, the two spotted burnet moth takes the prize for the most vivid colour.
But, the subtler ones are also very beautiful, here are just a couple that have been seen this week.
And those blue flowers I mentioned…….
The damselflies and the dragonflies also emerge this month. I have spotted the first of the dragonflies but as yet they have been too quick for me, perhaps they will get slower as the year moves on. But, it is so easy to miss the damselflies too. They are so well camoflaged in their surroundings and it is almost impossible to see them once they have settled.
One of the things that I try to practice is moving a silently as I can, that way I don’t disturb everything in my path. It is quite difficult to do especially if you are used to a fast paced life but is the best way to actually see. I use these as my yardstick for adeptness.
I hope you have enjoyed the walk…………..
Purely Photography 