Mild weather lingers as the leaves turn golden - then the days shorten, mists smother the valley, and frosts coat the grass.
We had fine weather through most of October. The colours only started turning in earnest towards the end of the month and, because there was very little wind, they stuck around for a while. Much to my disappointment, the ponies moved out of Lake Field in November. At first we thought they might have been relocated for bonfire night (a very big, very rowdy night in Battle!), but then a sign popped up informing us that they'd done their bit for Lake Field and the National Trust was moving onto the next stage. This involved felling a patch of sycamores from the edge of Lake Field to the left of these photos. Apparently there used to be allotments here. I'm not sure when they were established or when and why they were left to overgrow, but they must have been disused for a couple of decades judging by the size of the trees.
October
A lovely autumnal mist to start the month. You can't really tell, but the sun was blazing in a blue sky above!
Ponies continuing to enjoy the lush grass, the trees barely showing a hint that it's well into autumn already.
A warm sunset lends the leaves a golden glow.
A faint green wash across the field by the white house as the new crop emerges. A distinctly autumnal look to the scene, now.
November
Pretty much the last photo I have of any of the ponies, grazing the dew-coated grass in a heavy fog.
The glorious colours of an autumn morning and a frost on the ground. The season turned quickly in November.
From one week to the next, strong winds blew away the best of the autumn leaves. Winter is coming!
But still, we had some delightful sunny days. The crop opposite is flourishing.
December
A sunny day, but long shadows in the afternoon indicate that the winter sun is riding low in the sky.
Since the clocks changed, we only really get to see this view on the weekend - we leave for work in the dark and we get home in the dark.
December didn't feel as cold as November, but it was definitely wintery: lots of close, grey, damp days. It doesn't stop dog walkers, though!
The frost on the 30th of December was impressive, but I chose to photograph the very last, misty morning of 2016.
I hope you've enjoyed this year-long photo series about Lake Field as much as I've enjoyed taking the photos. It's been interesting to see the seasonal changes wash across this one view and exciting to document the National Trust works in and around Lake Field. I certainly wasn't expecting so many changes when I began the project.
RSS Feed
