Cottage Gardens
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
The term 'cottage garden' does not necessarily mean that the property it belongs to is an actual cottage. The formal planting schemes give way to a more random format and a subsequent tolerance to self propagation. However, behind the apparent natural free for all, there is often a great deal of planning. Image cannot be loaded
Shillingstone in Dorset
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Night Hunter; in this case a Barn Owl. There are a number of species of owl in the Shillingstone area. As well as the Tawney and Little owls that frequent Cookwell and the forestry plantation at Conygar Coppice, a pair of Barn owls nest at Bere Marsh. All of these species can occasionally be seen, at dusk in the trees leading down to the river Stour, by the bird hide on the North Dorset Trailway. Although nocturnal, the Barn Owl is frequently seen in fading daylight. Image cannot be loaded
Stour Valley Winter, Shillingstone.
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Because of Shillingstone's rural situation there is no light pollution. Shots like this are relatively easy to take, although on this occasion there was a fare amount of fast moving cloud. This weekend Jan 29-31- 2010 the Full Moon conjoins with Mars which is now at its closest approach to the Earth. Mars can be seen in the distance on the left of this image. One of a group of winter images of the Stour Valley, Shillingstone. Image cannot be loaded
Stour valley Autumn, Shillingstone.
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Another sunset over the rookery, Hollybrook, Shillingstone, November 2013. The birds are extra noisy, perhaps they're complaining about the rapidly decreasing amount of leaves on the trees around the nest site? Image cannot be loaded
Stour Valley Summer
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Heading north west, back into Shillingstone, after a 'summer evening cycle ride', along The North Dorset Trailway. Before it was closed in the 1960's the Somerset and Dorset Railway (S & D), was sometimes referred to as the 'Slow & Dirty'. Despite this, the actual geographical location of the North Dorset Stour Valley section, made it one of the most picturesque railway lines in the South West of England. Since its' 'rebirth' as a trailway, open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders, its' sympathetic and ongoing development, with regard for the surrounding environment and wildlife, has made this all too evident. Image cannot be loaded
Stour Valley Summer
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
As summer slips into autumn the activities of the garden spiders become accentuated by the heavy morning dew. Although it would seem that some spiders are not too bothered about isometrics. Image cannot be loaded
Stour Valley Summer
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
The Stour Valley in the late evening sun. The iron age earthworks here on Hambledon Hill are more pronounced than those on Hod Hill further down the valley. Both forts played an important roll in the Roman occupation of Ancient Britain. Image cannot be loaded
Shillingstone in Dorset
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Another dragonfly emerges from its' larvi case on an iris leaf next to Cookwell Brook. This one is clearly identifiable as a male Southern Hawker, by the yellow triangle situated on its' abdomen, behind the rear wing sockets. The wings on the right of the picture are not yet fully inflated. The River Stour and the ponds and streams in the North Dorset Stour Valley create an environment for a great many species of dragonflies, butterflies and moths. Image cannot be loaded
Stour Valley Winter, Shillingstone.
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
When taking this picture, I couldn't help but wonder how many winter sunsets this old tree had witnessed. One of a group of winter images of The Stour Valley, Shillingstone. Image cannot be loaded
Stour Valley Winter, Shillingstone.
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
One of a group of winter images of The Stour Valley, Shillingstone. A view across The River Stour, to the Iron Age Forts of Hambledon and Hod Hill. Image cannot be loaded
Cottage Gardens
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Whilst recording the activities of some of the Shillingstone Bee population, this one suddenly took an interest in the camera. The resulting rare head-on shot, and the reflection of light in its' eyes, reaffirms the belief that they do not wear sunglasses. It's the first time I've been face to face with a bee, and it puts me in mind of a flying Jack Russel terrior. Image cannot be loaded
Stour Valley Summer
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Flight re-fueling, a Hummingbird Hawk Moth feeding from a Salvia plant in a sunny part of the garden.
Hummingbird Hawk Moths beat their wings at such speed they emit an audible hum. Their name is further derived from their similar feeding patterns to Hummingbirds. They're found in Britain all summer long, especially in southern counties such as Dorset. Image cannot be loaded
Cottage gardens
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
I suppose for a bee a large Hollyhock is like a multi-storey supermarket. These dusty customers are obviously taking advantage of the extended opening hours. Stour Valley, Shillingstone.
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Early birds. A flock of Rooks start a new day through the morning mist, across The Stour Valley. 16/10/11. Stour Valley Summer
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
A Kingfisher takes a dive, it got the fish and was gone before I could re-focus. The River Stour Shillingstone. Stour Valley Summer
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
The sunset over the Wheat fields. One of three images captured on the same evening, at Cookwell Brook, Shillingstone. Stour Valley Summer
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Sometimes when a Thatcher completes a roof he will fashion a straw pheasant and place it on the ridge. No need in this case, the red tiles compliment this cock pheasant enjoying the evening sun on the barn roof at Cookwell, Shillingstone. Stour Valley Winter, Shillingstone
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
A south westerly airstream has brought an end to the snow and ice for a while. An approaching weather front provides a lively end to the day. Cottage Gardens
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
The Station gardens at The Shillingstone Railway Project. The renovated station is now part of a steam heritage centre. It is evident that amongst its volunteers there are some experienced and dedicated gardeners. Stour Valley Summer, Shillingstone.
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Evening Flight. A hot air balloon drifts over Gonygar Forestry Plantation before landing by the Stour. Hollybrook, Shillingstone. The Wessex Ridgeway, Shillingstone.
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
As the Wessex Ridgeway climbs out of Shillingstone Forest onto Oakford Hill it passes by the National Trust Nature Reserve of Ringmoor. Cottage Gardens
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Vipers Blugloss, a wild flower popular in rural gardens for its' attraction to bees. Stour Valley Summer
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
This Speckled Bush Cricket kept a close eye on me while I photographed it. It's one of many species of crickets and Grasshoppers to be found on the vegetation, along the banks of Cookwell Brook and the River Stour. Stour Valley Spring, Shillingstone.
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
East End Shillingstone viewed from The North Dorset Trailway. Shillingstone in Dorset
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Looking out onto Whatcombe Common, from Whatcombe Wood, The Winterborne Valley. Connected to the Shillingstone Forest area via The Jubilee Trail. Stour Valley Winter, Shillingstone.
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
A stormy sunrise on the North Dorset Trailway. One of a group of winter images of the Stour Valley, Shillingstone. Stour Valley Winter 2010
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
Sunrise over the Stour Valley after a light snowfall during November 2010. Shillingstone in Dorset
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
A misty sunrise over Hambledon Hill, viewed from The North Dorset Trailway, Shillingstone. Stour Valley Winter, Shillingstone.
© Graham Rains (view gallery)
One of a group of winter images of The Stour Valley. The Shillingstone Station Project, a steam heritage centre on The North Dorset Trailway.