Found in the Fells – January

There should be snow on the ground in January, but in 2019 the Fells didn;t see snow until Jan 20th - very unusual.  Snow makes for some beautiful winter scenes, especially if accompanied with blue sky and sunshine.

If there is deep snow it can be difficult to hike, but thanks to hardy pioneers, including cross-country skiers, the main trails are soon padded down.  Fresh, light snow can produce beautiful sights all its own so its really worth getting out there soon after a fresh fall of snow. 

                                                        A snowy scene in the Fells, January 15, 2008                                                                  and another

Remember the Pink Lady Slipper Orchids that bloom in May? Their seed-boxes can sometimes still be seen atop dry brown stalks, standing in the snow.  

          Pink Lady Slipper seed-box on dry stalk in the snow.                                Fresh snow on Beech leaves                                  

         The photos below were taken in the first two weeks of January, 2019 of some of the attractive woodland floor evergreens. When they're not covered in snow they do some photosynthesizing on sunny days, helped by the fact the majority deciduous trees don't have any leaves on.  Some of these evergreens have attractive red berries for hungry animals to enjoy and spread the seeds. Also about half the ferns in the Fells are evergreen.

                        Pipsissewa                                                  Striped Wintergreen                                            Bearberry

                Virginia Polypody in January