Lynchcombe Steps

Lynchcombe Sunrise – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR59923H

Things can be very quiet at Lynchcombe in Somerset.  Lynchcombe is a Somerset Wildlife Trust nature reserve on the sunny southern slopes on the Mendip Hills. Situated down the hill from the Deerleap field is is literally often overlooked.

As a grassland nature reserve it is covered in flowers and butterflies in the spring and summer but feels empty in winter.  So while keeping an eye on the reserve, where I am a warden, I wanted to capture sunrise and sunset.

I’m happy walking around the reserve in the dark of night without a light.  There have been some clear winter nights will lots of stars.

Dawn over Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR51599

Sunrise is harder to photograph as the sun rises behind the nearby hills.  Winter is your best chance as the sun rises further south.

The light on the clouds is not from the sun but the street lights of Wells and Glastonbury.

Lynchcombe Sunrise – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR59790

In the dark a flock of starlings fly overhead having left their roost in nearby RSPB Ham Wall.

The Sycamore and Starlings – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR59849

The sun finally appears at the top of the reserve.

Dawn over Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR51627H

We jump forward in time to the afternoon.  The sun will set in about hour.

At the top of the reserve is this fence with concrete posts.  It would be great if it could be replaced with a dry-stone wall, but it does have a certain kind of character.

Lynchcombe from Cooks Fields – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR57772

Looking out from Lynchcombe towards Glastonbury Tor and the soft golden evening light is magical.

View from Lynchcombe at dusk – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR58595

Across the reserve the low light shows up the contours of the Lynchetts associated with the Ramspit medieval farmstead.

Lynchcombe Steps – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR58580

And finally…

The sun finally sets on a beautiful day.

Sunset from Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR58677H

Not all these photographs are from today, but are from a couple of days in December and November.  That would have needed a lot of photoshop as today was very dull!