Barkbooth Lot, Lake District, Spring
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.