Wistmans Wood

I was out on Dartmoor today with a fellow photographer.  We started fairly early and arrived at Two Bridges before the carpark started to fill.  Having driven through sun, misty scenes and some rain the sun came through as I arrived.  We took a few shots through the bridge here before walking along the track to the well known ancient woodland of Wistmans Wood.  I hadn't been before so was keen to see the small woodland.  The short walk across the moorland was very enjoyable and soon we stopped on the edge of the woods.  We didn't move for some time as the displays of lichen, moss, liverworts and small fungi were outstanding.  The trees have wonderfully old twisted branches dripping with lichens, ferns and mosses with the ground full of moss clad boulders.  I was surprised at the number of photographers, dog walkers and families with children exploring the area.  We clambered our way over the boulders to the end of the woods and  back to our cars.  After a late lunch we then headed to Bellever Forest with its clapper bridge and forest environment. We spotted two dippers when we arrived and as we headed back we saw one again which obligingly posed for us on a rock in the river.  

An enjoyable day out.