Lynchcombe Steps
Early-purples are a sure sign that spring is about to change everything.
Spring on the Mendip Hills
I’m finally catching-up with my photographs after a busy period of travelling with work and family.
Lynchcombe continues to offer amazing views across Somerset in England. These clouds brought a small amount of late snow.
One of my favourite spots on the reserve which I have photographed many times – waiting to catch that perfect sky.
Reserve Management
It has been been windy resulting in some damage to the trees.
The Somerset Wildlife Trust does a great job on the reserve. I think this clearance was necessary due to ash dieback, which now covers the whole area.
Hawthorn leaves have appeared, looking fresh and green.
Celandines take their opportunity covering patches that will soon be covered in bracken.
Butterflies
I tried starting the butterfly transect walks in March and April but saw nothing. It was while before I saw my first butterfly of the season. It was this peacock resting on a dandelion near one of the drinking troughs in the combe.
Not long after this I was pleased to see this Wall butterfly. Obviously, it had been through some hard times. In 15 years, it was only the second time I had seen one on the reserve.
Speckled woods, which are normally common, took their time to appear this year.
Some beetles were having a good spring.
In the shade of the combe the early-purple glade put on a good show this year. Hopefully, the recent tree planting in the area will not have too much of an impact on these orchids.
And finally…
I love the opportunity to photograph a sunset.