Tuesday 24 March 2009

Daffy Day!

The other day I decided to take a walk around Edford Woods. This is a small woodland owned by the Somerset Wildlife Trust that is about a 15 minute drive west of my home town of Frome. It is well known locally for its display at this time of year of wild daffodils.Within a few minutes of walking into the wood the daffodils seemed to be everywhere. It was quite a sight!These wild daffs are lovely and delicate with slightly nodding flowers.
On the whole they seemed to be beautiful pale petals with an almost lemon coloured trumpet though I believe they can vary somewhat.As I went deeper into the wood, the paths became more soggy and sometimes it was a challenge not to have the mud up over my boots!About halfway around this circular walk the Mells stream starts meandering through the wood.I wanted to get some photos of the daffs against the fast running stream and managed to spoil this one with a boot sticking up!!! If' I'd cropped my boot out, I would have lost some of the daffs. Always learning!!! (-:Here's a bootless one.As I walked along the path by the stream I kept coming across a dipper standing on rocks and boughs in the stream though unfortunately it never allowed me close enough to snap a photo.There were other things of interest apart from the Daffs. I loved the sunlight on this mossy stump.I couldn't figure out how the hole was made in this tree, whether it was once one or two trees. Any thoughts anyone?I'm not very good an fungi, but I'm reliably informed that these are called Elf Cups which seems entirely appropriate.It was a lovely peaceful walk around this local wood. The circular walk is open to the public from February to May, so I might go back in a month or so to see what else is coming up then.

10 comments:

Eve said...

What a wonderful walk Jenny! I love the mossy tree...not sure about the funny opening in the tree...maybe that's where the fairies live!!! They can dance with the elves when no one is looking.
The daffs looks just a perfect sight!!!

Dog Trot Farm said...

Jenny, what a magical walk. I think the fairies were spying on you!

Mary said...

All those lovely daffodils are wild? Neat! That tree is interesting, but don't know how the hole got there...looks like it was two trees, but would it grow together like that becoming one. Love the mossy stump and the elf cups. Now you and Kingsdowner have me wanting to go tramp in the woods! However, it is rainy here today and I don't like walking in mud :-)

Quiet Paths said...

Gorgeous! I want to be out there walking along the stream and taking in the flowers. What a lovely place to stroll. I've never heard of elf's cups...Wonderful walk Jen.

Jenny said...

Hi Evie, it was a wonderful walk, really peaceful, I'm sure the elves and fairies were there, but didn't show themselves! (-:

Hi Julie, same comment as to Evie above about the fairies! It was indeed magic!

Hi Mary, I don't have a doubt that you will be tromping through your local woodland just as soon as your boots safely can! (-: Look forward to your postings.

Hi Christine, yes that path running by the stream is very inviting. I googled Elf Cups and came up with the following link to the 'wild about britain' website if you're interested to look.
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/fungi-forums/48253-scarlet-elf-cups-finally-2.html

Anonymous said...

A lovely walk Jen and the daffs were beautiful. You have to go back again especially when the mud is dried up. Ref the Tree, perhaps somebody was practising grafting many years ago.

Shelley said...

Wonderful to see all those daffodils on your walk! (I didn't even notice your boot! LOL!)

Jenny said...

Hi Roy, I reckon the elves must be into grafting! (-:

Hi Shelley, it was a great walk. I'm only a size 4 (brit size) which is very small, but that shoe certainly got in the way!

Anonymous said...

Hey Jen,
it could have been some young Somerset Lad.? {:)

Anonymous said...

It's good to get out into the woods. Thanks for taking us along.