With the Coronavirus restrictions in place, enjoyment of the countryside is still rather limited. On my daily exercise yesterday evening however, I took my camera on a delightful walk along the lovely old railway path between Halton and Caton. Spring was looking at it’s best!

Picturesque woodland walk beside the Lune.

Wild garlic in abundance.

Wild garlic.

The sight and smell of masses of wild garlic is a joy in the Spring. It prefers a shady woodland location and it’s leaves can also be eaten as a mild version of the bulb we are familiar with*.

Display of white.

Hedgerow garlic.

Beautiful British bluebell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lesser known but equally common wild plant which bursts into life at the same time as wild garlic is hedgerow garlic. This is a delicious mild sweet leaved plant that is great in sandwiches and was in fact used much in medieval times in salads. It is underrated and should be tried.

From all white to blue and it is impossible to ignore one of our most loved British springtime wild flowers, the bluebell. The masses of colour amongst the trees is a wonderful spectacle of this time of year. A large patch of them is trickier to photograph successfully than you might think though, in my opinion. A well lit  close-up of an individual stem against a contrasting background usually gives a more striking result.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red campion.

Often nestling amongst and towering over the bluebells is another very familiar wild flower, Red Campion. I’m not sure why it’s called red as it is normally pink. On the Isle Of Man they call it Fairy Flower by the way.

Dandelion clock

Personally I find it hard to walk past a dandelion ‘clock’ without being able to resist taking a photo!  These little wonders of nature a a delight to photography close-up and this time I tried to catch departing seeds in the breeze.

Still waters at the Crook O’Lune.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highlight on my walk and surely one of Lancashire’s best known and much photographed beauty spots is the Crook O’Lune, where the river slows and sweeps majestically through the trees in a tight curve, crossed by no less than three fine bridges.

One of the two former railway bridges.

 

 

Particularly ornate are the pair of former iron railway bridges, or as I should probably call them, viaducts. They are now used to carry a popular footpath and cycle track. Reflected in the river if it’s still makes, a lovely photo.

 

Tree lined river.

• You should always check carefully before eating any wild plant and only do so if you are sure what it is and that it’s good to eat.

 

More Photographer’s Ramblings Coming Soon. Until then, enjoy the lovely Spring weather and what nature has to offer. And stay safe during the lockdown!