Cycling: Fields and Woods

[speedbird591]

I was out in search of the elusive 1-11 (see the other post) today. I didn't find it but I took some piccys on the ride.

I saw blue stuff:


I saw green stuff:


I saw some jungly creepers:


I saw where a tractor driver started a crop circle and had second thoughts:


And I stopped in the wild wood to listen to the wind:


And if you haven't stopped in a wild wood to listen to the wind lately, I've brought it to life for you Play it full screen, HD and turn up the volume.

http://youtu.be/JhwxycQllqk

I also saw a brown hare, which is quite unusual at this time of year. They're common enough around here but you generally only see them during their mad march period when the girls race round in circles with two or three lads chasing them. They usually spend the day sleeping in their 'forms' and come out at night to feed but this one was sitting in a dip in the track ahead of me. As nobody much goes that way he must have thought it was part of the field!

Ian

[Garry Russell]

I suppose you see mainly grey hares

Video is private mate

[speedbird591]

I suppose you see mainly grey hares

Video is private mate

Oi!

Try the video now, Garry. I meant to make it 'unlisted' so I've changed it to that now (I think) - sorry.

[Garry Russell]

Cheers Ian

Vid is fine now

Such a gentle sound of a thousands of leaves gently rustling.

Quite therapeutic

[cjw50310]

Ian,

The blue stuff looks absolutely stunning. Now it's my turn to be a bit jealous, as the icky summer weather's here already and the flora is suffering.

Cheers,
Chris

[airboatr]

I suppose you see mainly grey hares

Apparently this time of year they turn brown..



Ian Middleton, the photos are very much appreciated


Joe

[speedbird591]

Hi Chris. It's lovely to see fields in colours other than green. We have so many shades of green here that it hurts the eyes sometimes!

The crop is an ancient one called flax. It used to be grown for the fibre content of the plant which could be woven. Nowadays it's called linseed and is grown for the oil from it's seeds. I believe it's a difficult crop to grow so it's not very common and is part of a rotation system to give the land a year's break from wheat. It rests the soil as it doesn't need much in the way of pesticides. The individual flowers are a beautiful blue.

On the other hand, I haven't the faintest idea what the green stuff is

Ian

[Garry Russell]

When I used to fly a fair bit, it seemed most of Southern England was covered with the yellow Rape Seed or whatever it's called

[speedbird591]

It's still here, Garry, as this recent photo article in The Mail shows! It's changed the summer countryside quite dramatically, but nobody seems to mind. Especially the farmers as it gives a good profit. Most people seem to like the variation from the ubiquitous wheat fields. Of course, no crops are natural and the English Countryside is a man-made, artificial environment. Before Man changed it virtually the whole of Southern England was thick forest from coast to coast and there are now just a few remaining disconnected remnants which rich landowners and monarchs thankfully kept aside for hunting

The Daily Mail

Ian