Lynchcombe Steps
Lynchcombe in September
To me the highlight was the fabulous sunset we had over the Autumn Equinox.
The side gate into Cook’s Fields that leads to the grass path down to village of Westbury-sub-Mendip was the perfect spot for an evening watching the sun set.
Lynchcombe boundaries are made of dry-stone walls.
The golden autumn light shows these at their very best.
And the views over the Somerset Levels were spectacular as always.
Looking closer, the bright red hawthorn berries and ivy flowers are abundant across the reserve.
The berries found an unexpected admirer.

Long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) on Hawthorn – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR56083
… while the ivy nectar remains very popular.
The common darter dragonfly is also abundant. Hazel leaves seeming to be one of their favourite perches.
Matching the colour of the autumn bracken the small copper butterflies made a late summer flourish.
As did the much larger red admiral butterflies who loved the brambles.
This year there was a bumper crop of blackberries.
… and sloes for your gin!
And finally…
I could not resist another sunset. This time from the lookout lower down the combe.
A low bank of cloud killed the chances or deep colours, but still another beautiful Mendip evening.