A complete change in the weather – not exactly mild, but a night of rain was followed by a glorious sunny, if windy, day until a heavy shower, illuminated by the low late-afternoon sun, produced this rainbow. After the snow, the ground is saturated, and the grass around the field edges is flattened and burnt brown by the frost. A tractor has driven along the grassy strips round each field, flaying (trimming) the adjacent hedgerows and leaving muddy ruts. Today’s walks were very different from the still-wintery walk around the Hill only 24 hours before, although even then there was certain squelchiness beneath the snow. Despite the sunshine the countryside has a tired grubby look about it, desperate for the rejuvenation that spring will eventually bring.
You write so well and so beautifully about the country-side. You descriptions of 'your patch' are so eloquent. This is a beautiful shot, very well captured, the birch tree is so elegant in contrast to the sturdy oak and both look wonderful with the rainbow behind.