Barkbooth Lot, Cumbria, Spring
It was time to capture the last of this year’s bluebells.
It was time to capture the last of this year’s bluebells.
We’re fortunate in Cumbria to have quite a few options when it comes to photographing glorious bluebell displays. On this occasion we decided to revisit a local favourite that also—coincidentally—tends to be quiet: Barkbooth Lot.
Upon arrival it turns out that we were maybe slightly past Peak Bluebell, at least in Barkbooth Lot. Nevertheless, the light was lovely and the woodland is always a joy to gently wander around and find compositions to play with.
All photos taken on my Sony α7ii using my Sony FE 28–70mm f3.5–5.6 OSS zoom and Rokinon 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC prime lenses. RAWs developed in Lightroom for iPad, then edited and finalised in Affinity Photo 2 for iPad.
Barkbooth Lot, Cumbria, Spring by Ian Cylkowski is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Soft woodland light highlights the limestone remnants, moss, and of course the bluebells in this delicious scene.
On the edge of the woods, this dead tree being consumed by vines provides an excellent subject.
The way through the woodlands, across the beck. Like a scene from a timeless fantasy novel.
A patch of bluebells enjoy the shade will unfurling ferns reach up to the morning light.
A trio (tree-oh?) or trees provide a simplified composition, with bluebells surrounding them.
A fallen tree shelters the carpet of bluebells.
Did you enjoy these photos?
Barkbooth Lot, Lake District, Spring
Welcome back to Barkbooth Lot!
Welcome back to Barkbooth Lot!
We're starting to see those beautiful bluebells appearing in woodlands across Cumbria now, so over the weekend we enjoyed a wander around our new favourite bluebell spot, Barkbooth Lot.
There's another good three weeks or so before all the bluebells are fully out and in their prime, but the sights were still glorious. Plus, it were a bonny day. Why not get out and enjoy it?
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using two of my prime lenses: a Fujinon 23mm f/2.0, and an adapted Pentax SMC 55mm f/2.0. Images developed using RNI Films' Portra 400 film emulation.
The way into the woodland is clear and immediately we can see that the bluebells were out.
The late afternoon light was absolutely crackin'.
A survivor from Storm Arwen. Lots of other trees weren't so lucky.
Fantastic shapes, like two dancers in the sunlight.
Two trees share a trail of bluebells between them.
There's so many more bluebells to come in the next couple of weeks.
This way for more bluebells.
Ferns unfurling. A sign that summer is coming.
Some of the casualties from Storm Arwen.
Down at the gentle beck, gurgling its way through the woodland.
Forest bathing is a true healing salve for the soul.
A remnant from an older storm.
Probably one of my favourite shots from the whole walk.
Torn in half. The sheer force of Storm Arwen.
Out onto the fell side of Barkbooth Lot, the Lyth Valley fells in the distance.
Barkbooth Lot, Lake District, Spring
If you thought there were a lot of bluebells in Staveley…
If you thought there were a lot of bluebells in Staveley…
We’re in peak bluebell season in Cumbria now. Normally, if you think bluebells and the Lake District, you might be tempted to head straight to Rannerdale. This is a rather famous little valley, branching off from the middle of Crummock Water, where during spring the valley floor erupts in a carpet of bluebells. Being surrounded on all sides by the craggy fells of Lorton Vale, it’s quite a sight. It’s also increasingly popular, and keeping people off the bluebells is becoming problematic.
Instead, Lisabet suggested we revisit a nearby favourite of ours, Barkbooth Lot, managed by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. This is a little woodland, and open fell, just north of Bowland Bridge in the Lyth Valley, west of Kendal. The last time we visited, a couple of years ago in March/April, it was a very hot day and there were daffodils aplenty.
By the time we arrived this time, the daffodils had long disappeared for the year. Instead, the woods were absolutely crammed with bluebells.
No matter which direction we looked, bluebells everywhere. It was wonderful.
I hope these photos convey even a modicum of the wonder I experienced.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using two prime lenses: a Samyang 35mm f/1.2, and a Laowa 9mm f/2.8. The photos were 80% developed in-camera using a customised Velvia film simulation, with small edits later made in Lightroom and Affinity Photo.
Into the woods we go, with gorgeous evening light beaming through the trees. Already, we’re seeing lots of bluebells.
Just a mini-scene of gorgeous evening light, bluebells, shooting ferns, and tree roots.
A solitary tree catches the golden light in a sea of bluebells.
A fallen tree trunk provides a playground of compositions for me, with this one ultimately being my favourite.
Just… a wonderful scene, and a ridiculous amount of bluebells.
Deeper into the woods, and seemingly no end in sight of all the bluebells.
My lovely Lisabet, just taking it all in.
The ferns are at that wonderful stage where they’re beginning to shoot up, unfurl, and change colour from orange to green.
Interlocking trees amongst a carpet of bluebells.
“Boss! Tree’s fallen across t’path.” “Just cut reet through it.” “Reet you are.”
Despite the beauty of bluebells everywhere and glorious evening light, I found this tree rather creepy.
A pair of tree trunks that put me in mind of a tuning fork.
The woodland opens up a little more as we near the end of the loop.
She glows.
Beckmickle Ing, Staveley, Lake District, Spring
It’s taken a little longer, but the bluebells have finally arrived.
It’s taken a little longer, but the bluebells have finally arrived.
After work recently, Lisabet and I hopped into the car and drove just a few miles up the A591 to Staveley, a Lake District village near Kendal. We had been recommended a walk near the village from my boss, due to the woodlands of bluebells in the area.
It did not disappoint.
The trail starts near the junction with the A591, a wooden sign points the way off the road towards the Dales Way. Just a few hundred metres down the path you enter a beautiful country lane, flanked either side by moss-covered drystone walls, with old trees providing shade to a beautiful carpet of bluebells.
Further around the hike, after crossing the footbridge near Cowan Head, you can explore arguably the showstopper of the walk: Beckmickle Ing woods (great name, btw). This wood provided Lisabet and I with one of the greatest displays of bluebells I’ve ever seen, never mind all the additional flowers such as the Wood Anemone (Anemonoides nemorosa) and finally some Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum).
For a quieter, away-from-the-crowds walk (especially in the spring), I can heartily recommend this one.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using a Samyang 35mm f/1.2 lens. The images are 85% SOOC (straight out of camera) using a customised Velvia film simulation, with some minor curve and saturation finishes in Lightroom and Affinity Photo.
The start of the trail, and a crackin’ evening to look forward.
Wonderful scenes across the valley.
Into this beautiful country lane we go, the small patch of bluebells below a signifier of things to come.
Towards the exit of this lane you’re greeted with a shock of purple below the trees. Bluebells everywhere.
Approaching Cowan Head, the light really starts to get golden.
A true spring Lakeland scene: this year’s lambs grazing underneath some crags on a hill.
After following the River Kent upstream and crossing the footbridge at Hagg Foot, we enter Beckmickle Ing woods. Already, the colours are getting considerably more verdant.
You’re always bound to fine at least one oddity in a British woodland.
A jaw-dropping scene, and Velvia did a wonderful job capturing all of colours and tones. One of the finest displays of bluebells I’ve ever seen.
Just stupendous. A veritable carpet or sea of bluebells.
After popping out of Beckmickle Ing woods we followed this minor road back towards the general direction of Staveley.
Another nearby woodland showed that, finally, wild garlic and its delicate white flowers were starting to bloom.
A much older tree, catching some sunset side light.
I loved how intense the sunset glow was on these leaves.
Back on the footpath to Staveley, a fleeting moment of strong golden light illuminates some distant trees and a barn.
Pandemic Peregrinations: Unnamed Woods, Kendal, Cumbria, Spring
After a week where the spring rain finally arrived, it was good to get out and enjoy a warmer day, with a clear atmosphere, and gorgeous light.
After a week where the spring rain finally arrived, it was good to get out and enjoy a warmer day, with a clear atmosphere, and gorgeous light.
For the day’s Government Permitted Outdoor Exercise we returned to the woods around Bird’s Park Reservoir. The last time we visited, 2–3 weeks ago, we mentally bookmarked the woods for a return visit because we could see there would be lots of bluebells. After a week of passing showers, the great weather has returned, and as hoped the woods were full of bluebells.
The rain has also cleared the atmosphere of haze, so after popping out of the woods onto Paddy’s Lane, the views back to Kendal and the Lakeland fells beyond were beautifully clear.
All photos shot with my Fujifilm X-T2 in Provia mode using a Fujinon XC 16–50mm f/3.5–5.6 OIS lens. Edited in Capture One using a customised Provia 100f film emulation.
In other news
As of 9am on 2nd May, 182,260 people in the UK have tested positive for COVID-19 from the Coronavirus. As of 5pm on 1st May, of those tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, 28,131 have sadly died, a death rate of 15.43%.
May all those suffering find peace.
It feels so good to see leaves on the trees again.
As mentioned before, pictures here is Lisabet’s photo philosophy in practice: get close.
Spotted these beauties growing in someone’s rockery. Google reckons they’re Osteospermum, or “African Daisies”.
People working on their allotments, no doubt maintaining social distancing rules.
The fields above Kendal are showing lovely displays of dandelions at the moment.
Bluebells everywhere! Bonus points: soft dappled light dancing around the woods.
Beautiful bluebells, gorgeous light, and gnarly trees. Can’t really go wrong.
This is actually a rare image, because my lovely Lisabet actually requested to be photographed! So here she is, looking beautiful as always next to my favourite in these woods.
Popping out of the woods and looking back to the slopes above Kendal and the Lakeland fells beyond.
Following the drystone wall back up to Paddy’s Lane.
These are the sort of expansive views you get from Paddy’s Lane: Kendal nesting in its valley and the craggy profile of the Lake District fells beyond.
When I find a wall of some kind that flows with the rolling landscape, I take a picture.
Benson Knott (319 m/1047 ft), catching the late afternoon light.
Looking back down Paddy’s Lane with the Kentmere and Longsleddale fells in the distance.
I had to crop the photo in pretty tight, but still happy I managed to snap this busy little bumblebee.
Heading back into Kendal, a lamb enjoys the shade under a tree.
The ruins of Kendal Castle above Netherfield Cricket Club. Not a bad spot for a game of cricket, eh?
Lovely light striking the trees around the River Kent.
Despite the rain, the River Kent is still looking really dry.