Signs of Spring in Corngreaves Nature Reserve
Last night I was so shattered I thought, I’m definitely staying in bed tomorrow. I’m just mentally lazy like that. However, when I woke up this morning and saw the sun, and saw that I wouldn’t even need to wear a coat on my walk I chucked my camera battery on charge and new I’d be going out. I’d been to Haden Hill on Sunday and the crocuses were sweeping up the front drive of the house but I hadn’t got my camera so I headed back. I started my walk down into Corngreaves nature reserve so I could do a big loop and I was glad I’d still worn my proper walking shoes because it was quite boggy in places.
In many ways this part of the trail was still very wintery; with frost on the ground and these little mushrooms still thriving in the moss. This is the first image of mushrooms I’ve taken with the 85mm and the quality is still impeccable. My biggest grip (possibly only) with the Nikon Z7 is that the screen is so limiting. Most of the time I don’t want to sit in the mud to get a shot so will crouch at a weird angle where having a more flexible screen would be really useful. I’m still trying to get as much out of the 85mm as I can and although I’m still firmly in love with it, I do miss the closer focusing abilities of the 24-70mm because it’s much easier to compose whereas I’m having to think more about the potential crop.
As I carried on getting completely lost and having to look at the map I spotted a beautiful little pond. I couldn’t get a good angle far enough away to get a photo but I did meet a nice dog walker who told me that the pond had been made to funnel the little stream. Just a bit further down I came across the stream trickling across some rocks and thought the light looked beautiful. I wasn’t expecting to take any images like this today and I get really excited when I spot little things out of the ordinary.
Speaking of getting excited, I found my first bee of spring! I haven’t posted it because I’m not happy with the picture but it reminds me of the potential spring and summer hold for similar types of image and hopefully the opportunities to get the perfect shot. I’m also reminded that it really doesn’t matter how my walk pictures come out because the walk and being out in nature is the most important things. These images should be a reflection of a journey, both physical and intellectual.
I also saw the first daffodils of spring which was exciting too as there are so many bulbs fully grown and ready to bloom that haven’t opened yet. I found these in the beautiful garden in front of the groundskeeper’s cottage and wanted to have a play with the depth that the 85mm can offer. I’m trying to stay at f2.8 at the moment so I don’t get stuck in the f1.8 trap again…
This was exactly the shot I wanted to take on Sunday of the approach to the house and I’m so glad I managed to get back in time to take it. I missed it this time last year and although I had a nice picture on my phone it’s just not the same. I was happy to capture some people out enjoying the park too.
These last two images were just ones I liked. The birds are always soaring around here, keeping an eye on people chucking bread to the ducks (which they shouldn’t have by the way, bird food is much better for them), I love the tones of this tree too.
All in all I came out with some images I really like, especially the rippling water which I wasn’t expecting to get. I hope this is the first of many spring walks and I’ll try to visit my usual haunts with the 85mm to document what spring life is coming out.
