The Burning Beech

COVID restrictions were easing, but not enough to be able to travel outside our county, but that didn’t matter. This particular morning, I woke to fog, excitement took over and I packed the camera bag. I didn’t need to venture outside my county, Mullaghmeen Forest was calling me.

Between various lockdowns and restrictions, Mullaghmeen has been my sanctuary over the last two years. The only time I was unable to get there was when the restrictions were limited to travelling no further than 2 and 5km of our home. I’ve witnessed the changes throughout the seasons, and got to know it so well, I’ve learnt so much about the area and how a forest adapts and thrives.

Mullaghmeen Forest is the largest beech forest in Ireland and is approximately 400hectares in size, and I can honestly say that I think I’ve explored nearly every one of those hectares over the last few years, often getting lost in the process.

On this particular day I was wandering through the trees enjoying the silence that seems to accompany fog. Why is that? Have you noticed when it gets foggy, the world seems to go quiet. I’m sure there is a scientific explanation somewhere.

As I wandered, I stumbled across this young beech still clinging onto it’s autumn foliage. Apparently, this is known as marcescence, there seems to be a few theories why some trees do this, but nothing definitive. All I do know, is that on this particular day, this young tree stood out with its bronzed leaves standing out against the bare woodland surrounding it. It looked like it was on fire with little flames dancing off its branches, I couldn’t resist capturing it on camera.

Canon EOS 5Ds and Canon EF50mm lens. Focal length was at 50mm. ISO100, 0.4secs, f/8