Last year I discovered that I lived a few minutes away from a quite spectacular local nature reserve. Back then I posted some pictures of what I called ‘the undiscovered country‘, and as the season changes color heading into what will soon become winter, I thought I’d post some more pictures from a now very autumnal Brotherton Park & Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve.
The above photograph was taken while I was at ‘the Dibby’, as it is locally known, with my friend Joelle. The colors were beginning to change, some trees were already nearly bare, while others were still very much green. In the background of the scene you’ll see a tree that is leaning heavily to the left. I find it amazing that trees can do that. Presumably it was nearly blown over in a storm, yet despite its angle it continues to flourish.
In just a couple of weeks the colors have completely changed and the low evening sun transforms the woods into a forest of gold and bronze treasure.
I walked along this path and allowed the kid inside me to kick up the leaves. A little further down I stopped and chatted to a man who was walking his dog while he smoked a pipe that filled the misty cooling air with a burnt sweet aroma.
I stood for a while by the brook photographed above and soaked up the scene while watching my breath float away and disappear into the evening air. On my iPod Amos Lee was singing about how colors seem to fade. It was a fitting track for one of those ‘soundtrack moments’, you know where the music seems to match the scene perfectly. This time it felt like an ending, like the final moments before the fade-to-black. I guess in many ways it was.
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Brotherton Park & Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve
The Undiscovered Country
Wrote the following comment on Nov 8, 2007 at 8:10 am
love the lighting and colors.
Wrote the following comment on Nov 9, 2007 at 12:47 am
Simon, your pics are, one again, astounding.
Wrote the following comment on Nov 9, 2007 at 4:30 am
i wish my house was at the end of that path.. that would be really lovely.
Gorgeous pics as always.
Wrote the following comment on Nov 9, 2007 at 7:54 am
Ah Brotherton Park. I’m glad you made it there. I was checking the leaves on the trees every day to pick the right time to go to take pictures, but on the day, life took over!!!
I can’t wait to go again.
Nice pictures, Simon.
Wrote the following comment on Nov 9, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Lovely, peaceful pics… great after a tough Friday… Wish I was there…
Wrote the following comment on Nov 10, 2007 at 3:06 pm
wow.
its still pretty warm here.
ryc: merci beaucoup
Wrote the following comment on Nov 10, 2007 at 9:21 pm
yes….everything is way funny now. I still cant believe i fell in the shower! I kept laughing today, while holding my pounding head.
hangovers absolutely suck!
Wrote the following comment on Nov 11, 2007 at 2:05 pm
What can I say other than…breathtaking!!! Simon I can only imagine how it felt being there in person. Dude don’t ever stop taking time to kick up some leaves. Release that little boy inside as often as you can!!!
Wrote the following comment on Nov 11, 2007 at 2:24 pm
I love kicking up the leaves, so don’t worry, I’ll never stop being that kid! :-)
Wrote the following comment on Nov 12, 2007 at 12:22 am
Fabulous pictures. They do remind me of the pictures you commented on of mine as well. Breathtaking, thanks for sharing!
Wrote the following comment on Nov 13, 2007 at 1:24 am
Wonderful shots as always, Simon. What a great place – and it’s right in your back yard! We only dream of autumn color here in Houston and can only find it in photographs. Sigh. Thanks for sharing yours.
Wrote the following comment on Nov 18, 2007 at 12:33 am
superb study
Wrote the following comment on Dec 5, 2007 at 5:13 pm
some fantastic photos there Simon! I have to admit to exploring the place myself after seeing your initial post. You’ve probably just inspired me to go back and see the changing colours too!
R.
Wrote the following comment on Dec 5, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Bit late to see the changing colors now Kegsy. After that storm we had the other night I doubt there will be a leaf left on any tree! :-)
Glad I insipred you though, and hey it’s great to see you here!
Wrote the following comment on Dec 17, 2007 at 7:39 am
The pictures are awesome. Thanks for sharing!
Wrote the following comment on Dec 28, 2007 at 1:20 am
the last pic and the first one are the best. the first one looks like a tree from a magical land of some sort. and the last one makes your mind wonder in a different way. its like you can imagine yourself walking along that trail having some sort of adventure maybe. ok so im weird sue me.. lol