Wednesday 3 February 2016

The Snowdrops of Kelham Hall

Most of the time when you set off to see something, it isn't there.

Most typically, this is when I head up the cycle path to "The Owl Land" to see the short eared owls, which are never there and indeed no-one seems to have seen one there for years, but also occurs when I try to photograph the winter ducks at Langford, or fail to find the Eco-Park near Stapleford on my bike.

Today was different. I figured that with the early spring, the impressive snowdrop display at Kelham Hall would be early too, so made the 5km trip out there in running mode, and on a starbright day with a chill in the air, I set out.

Stupidly I took the trail route again which meant awkward running across farm fields, but I did flush out a sparrowhawk from a tree at the rugby club which then made a spectacular low level escape through a gap in the hedge.

There was a sort of "will it be a show or no show" as I reached Kelham Hall, and headed along the long driveway round to the church. To be fair, I wasn't treating it as a life or death matter, but if they weren't there would be no photographs and no blog post to put up. Unless I wanted to put up pictures of green grass with "Hey! No snowdrops" captions.

I hate doing that.

Luckily, there they were, carpeting an area about the size of two tennis courts near the church. They make such a pretty sight, and all were in good condition. Some of the cemetery snowdrops are past their best already. I was trying really hard to get good light for the shots, but the sun was blocked by trees, and not in a good, lens-flarey way either.

Also of interest was a tree stump covered in attractive turkey tail bracket fungus. This gave a nice fungal grittiness to contrast with the flowers, I feel. But overall, it was the beautiful pure white glade that shall be the memory I'll take from the visit, as I turned myself round and headed back across the fields to Newark.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 03.02.16













12 comments:

  1. Wonderful set of photo's, so nice to see so many Snowdrop's..
    Amanda xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Now that's what I call a proper Snowdrop display, makes our Ashenbank wood
    display look very meagre in comparison.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You are both very kind! SAdly, I don't think we'll get a show from the poppies like we did last year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glorious display Si. Also it brought back so many memories as I used to visit a friend who was training for the ministry there. Is it still some kind of C of E college?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Council have been hear for years, but have sold building to private company now, and are just tenants until new HQ built

      Delete
  5. What a beautiful sight and lovely to see so many. I also enjoyed the photos of the turkey tails :) Was planning a snowdrop visit somewhere local later this month but it looks as though I will have to bring my visit forward!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful sight.. lovely photos Simon :o)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Snowdrops create wonderful white carpet. Regards.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your comments are so kind! It's a lovely sight indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  9. We pass Kelham Hall on our way into Newark. Do you ever visit Hodsock Snowdrops in Worksop? I worked in Worksop for 12 years and have still never visited to see the display.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bit far away for me to go on my bicycle! Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  10. Beautiful display of snowdrops and the turkey tails look lovely in the winter light.

    ReplyDelete