A Walk in Ecclesall Woods

It has been a while since we've been in Ecclesall Woods, but yesterday a shopping trip took us along the leafy roads that go through them.  It's early for the English bluebell flowers that grow in these ancient woods, but as we parked up in our usual lay-by spot we could see them through the openings in the fence.  In a week or two they'll be at their best and there'll be a haze of blue in these woods.  

A wood is my favourite kind of habitat.  In the Springtime the young beech leaves are a vivid lime green. There are starry-shaped wood anemones, quantities of wild garlic leaves, golden yellow celandines and the beauty of the delicate English bluebells.

It was rather a cloudy day yesterday (and it's the same today) so it wasn't the best weather for a walk in the woods and photo taking, but it was a good morning out-and-about in an area that's a great green space for the local community.  

Autumn in Ecclesall Woods

It was another sunny day yesterday.  Mr P and I had some shopping to do in a different area of the city.  Each area of the city has its own high street and set of small, individual businesses and at the moment the shop window displays reflect the Autumn season and the forthcoming Remembrance Weekend.

the florist's 

the gift shop

the hairdresser's

Next was a walk in Ecclesall Woods.  We haven't been there for quite a while.  These ancient woods are beautiful in the Springtime when the bluebells are in flower and you can see a carpet of blue flowers among the trees. Now in Autumn the woods are just as interesting. 

There are about fifteen varieties of tree in these woods.  Here are oak, beech and sweet chestnut. The branches of trees are left as they fall to create a habitat for wild life.

The only fungi seen that day were turkey tails growing on fallen logs or branches.

There are streams and log bridges placed over them by the rangers who look after the wood.  We didn't walk to the Discovery Centre yesterday although it's very popular with dog walkers and others who can stop for refreshments there, watch woodworking demonstrations or join a group nature walk.

sweet chestnuts

Collier's Pond 

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and the walk.  Thank you for your visit and comments.  Have a good weekend.

A Woodland Walk

Yesterday afternoon we were out and about on the other side of the city doing some shopping for the store cupboard.  It's always an opportunity to see what's on offer and to do some window gazing of displays that might attract customers into the small independent shops in the area.

              

Displays in the windows of the florist's and gift shops.

We went back home stopping for a quick walk in Ecclesall Woods.  It was quite muddy and most of the leaves on the deciduous trees have yet to change colour.  

Being ancient woodland there are many types of tree.  A leaflet that you can probably get at the Woodland Discovery Centre had been placed on the information board and would be a helpful guide.

There were a few other walkers about mainly walking their dogs.  Every so often I could hear a cracking and snapping sound, but realised that it was probably a loose branch falling or the grey squirrels jumping around and disturbing the leaf litter and twigs on the ground. 

Being on the edge of the wood where I was walking there were a few big houses with woodland gardens.  Standing on higher ground and looking over the walls there were some interesting stone garden ornaments that looked at home there.

There was a blaze of colour from ornamental trees and bushes in one particular garden.

There were toadstools, acorns, sweet chestnuts and horse chestnuts (conkers) aplenty.

In the woods the sycamore leaves are beginning to turn a golden colour and beech leaves and other trees have already shed leaves and nuts as we've recently had some strong winds and heavy rain.Soon the leaves in our own garden will need clearing up as the fig tree's leaves fall. We just got home in time when heavy rain descended again.  It was time to clean off the mud from my shoes and settle down in the warm for a restful late afternoon and evening.

Here's my own heather still doing well in the garden and the gladioli in the bunch of flowers given to us recently has now come into full bloom.

I hope all is well with you.  Thank you for your visit.