Philorth Woods, after the solstice.

This being the first day following the winter solstice, there was a sense of a new beginning,  the year having turned and the increase in daylight having begun, however imperceptibly. We celebrated with a walk along the Line from Kirkton, past Philorth Halt and on towards Rathen Station, leaving the Line to walk towards Mains of Philorth returning Philorth Halt through the wood. The Water of Philorth was running fast and high, many of the fields along our route were partly flooded, there were geese grazing in Wet Fold.  The gorse which had been so conspicuously bright a couple of weeks ago has faded, only a few daisies and dandelions remain in flower, the countryside reduced to duns and dull greens. However, there are the early forms of catkins on elders, willow trees along the Line have well formed buds and the sunlight lit up the trees in the wood. 



The dubby track in to the wood from Mains of Philorth was loud with the cawing of rooks.



There were incessantly cawing rooks circling above the pines and larches  .




The clay drainage pipes stacked by the track caught the sunlight and seemed to glow warmly.
(The colours have been emphasised by increasing the saturation level of the image.) 



Already there are fat flower buds on the despised rhododendrons which line the driveway.



The spears of snowdrops, which will eventually carpet the wood are starting to emerge.

Sunlight and riders, looking towards Home Farm