   
   
Today, on what has been the hottest day of the year so far, we decided there was absolutely no chance we were going to spend any more time out in the direct sun than we needed to. Instead, we headed off for a gentle wander around one of our favourite local woods.
Thankfully, these woods are perfect for days like this, with plenty of shade beneath the trees and just enough breeze sneaking through to make it comfortable. We ended up being out for around 90 minutes, which probably sounds quite a long time in the heat, but the whole walk was more about slowing down, looking carefully and simply enjoying what nature was offering us along the way.
The woodland was absolutely bursting with life. Everywhere we looked there seemed to be something flowering, emerging, fading away, or quietly tucked into the undergrowth waiting to be noticed. One of the highlights was managing to find four different species of orchid, which felt especially impressive considering it is still relatively early in the orchid season.
As you can probably tell from the collages below, these photos are not about trying to produce perfect award winning images. They are simply a record of our day and the wonderful variety of life we came across during a short local walk. In many ways, that makes them even more special to us.
What really stood out today was just how much there is to see when you slow down and pay attention. This collection alone does not even include the insects buzzing around us, the birds calling through the canopy, or the little moments that never quite make it into a photograph. Mrs Lawns even spotted a toad quietly trundling off the path and disappearing into the herbage beside us.
It all serves as another lovely reminder that you do not always need to travel to far flung beauty spots or overcrowded tourist locations to experience nature at its best. Sometimes the most rewarding adventures are waiting much closer to home than we realise.
Why not see what is hiding in your own local patch? 🌿🤗
#IansDailyPhotoChallenge #365DaysWild #KeepWalkingKeepDiscovering