Lynchcombe Update
Thistles – Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_8544
Time to catch-up on the latest from Lynchcombe. This nature reserve sits on the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills in Somerset. It is surrounded by other reserves and the whole area is very beautiful.
Sheep – Cooks Fields, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_8457
Landscape Trees
At the top of Lynchcombe a small group of sycamores have become a local landmark. They take the worst of the weather, but their exposed location offers beautiful views of the levels.
Sycamores – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1544
Sheep
Lots of sheep do their job to grazing the grasslands of Lynchcombe, Cooks Fields and Deerleap.
Good Morning – Cooks Fields, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0892
Who does not love a sheep?
Sheep – Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_0537
Mists
On clear mornings the mist comes out. The southern edge of the Mendips is the perfect location for wide misty views across the Somerset Levels.
Coxley – From Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_0531
In the distance the Yarley Tree stands up out of the mist.
Yarley Tree – From Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1010
Mushrooms
This time of year is perfect for hunting mushrooms. Lynchcombe has lots of special wax caps, but these parasols are much easier to find.
Parasol mushroom – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_0618
Northern Lights
We have been so lucky this summer with a series of high peaks in charged particle storms from the sun reaching our planet. The Kp-Index measures the strength of these storms using a scale from 0 to 9 where 9 is for the biggest storms. This summer the Kp has reached the value of 8 four times. The first time I was away on a cycling challenge. The next time I was in France watching the Olympics. But when the alerts for the next two pinged on my phone I was at home watching the TV. So I rushed up the hill to Cooks Fields to get some dark skies.
The first time the skies were clear and the stars were beautiful. But were these the northern lights? There are hints of green and pink. I have just about persuaded myself that these are northern lights.
Are these northern lights? – Cooks Fields, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1512
The next time it was much cloudier. But again there are hints of green and pink, and in the pink a small group of stars appeared.
Are these northern lights? – Cooks Fields, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1975
Autumn is coming
In the last couple of weeks autumn colours have started. The golden light of dawn making them look very special.
Dawn Sycamores – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1834
The top of Lynchcombe glowing ready for autumn.
Dawn Sycamores – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1891
And finally…
The money shot of mist filling the levels between the Mendip Hills and Glastonbury Tor.
Mist over the levels – From Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0827
