Katharine and I went for a walk through the heather on Saturday, crossing Spaunton Moor (twice). This shot was taken from a track that neither of us had walked before, and this view looks north along the valley of Hole Beck.
The heather is becoming really colourful now, though in the foreground some of the early bell heather is well past it's best and is turning brown.
The North York Moors is well known for it's heather, and it is said to have the most extensive areas in Britain. However, this is a largely artificial landscape, as gamekeepers strive to ensure that the heather is ideally suited to support the maximum number of grouse, ready for the grouse shooting season, which begins on 12th August each year.
The heather moorland is a landscape under threat. The spread of bracken is an issue in some areas, but the biggest threat is the campaigning to end grouse shooting. Should shooting end, there would be no looking after the heather by gamekeepers, since the shooting pays for the current maintainance of the heather. Hopefully a way can be found to maintain this lovely landscape.
Beautiful, I love our moorland and yes we know it’s under threat , I remember it when I was a child it wasn’t maintained and grew bushy and tall, but I still remember the colour and the way every car had a bunch fastened to their front radiator, which was frowned upon in later years because of ethical reasons.
What a sight. we can buy heather here. but it's not the same. we came across some heather when visiting Germany and Holland.
thanks for your narrative..so enjoyable to read.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Sorry for the slightly late responses and post today, Katharine and I have had a day in Rotherham, and have only just got back home.
The time when the heather is in flower is to me a very special time. We always try and do at least one quite long walk through the heather each year, and this was the first one this year. It was particularly nice for part of the walk to be on a track that we haven't walked along before, and it was on this new track that I took this shot.
Beautiful landscape. I love that "S" of greenery that goes through it.
I am used to seeing many shades of green but have never seen so many shades of purple. Magnificent Ian. Another FAV
thanks for your narrative..so enjoyable to read.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Sorry for the slightly late responses and post today, Katharine and I have had a day in Rotherham, and have only just got back home.
The time when the heather is in flower is to me a very special time. We always try and do at least one quite long walk through the heather each year, and this was the first one this year. It was particularly nice for part of the walk to be on a track that we haven't walked along before, and it was on this new track that I took this shot.
Ian
I am used to seeing many shades of green but have never seen so many shades of purple. Magnificent Ian. Another FAV
Thank you Paul, we seem to be having a particularly good year for the heather in bloom.
Ian