Three cheers for the ancient beech trees that line the old drover’s road atop the Quantock Hills. For decades, each spring their lime green leaves emerge translucent and silky. Like bright artist’s daubs they poetically lift the mood and herald the unfolding of spring in a fanfare of zingy magnificence. Hip hip!

#quantocks #nature #environment #photography #spring #trees

We enjoyed spending time amongst the trees today. They are really starting to come alive now as vivid, lime green leaves gradually unfurl. Plus Mabel loves an arboreal ‘Spot the Dog’ - so many endless hiding places!

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

It was all eyes on the skies for today’s walk as we aimed to beat the rainy forecast. You will need to keep your eyes firmly focused on terra firma though, if you are to successfully ’Spot the Dog’.

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

Following that age old motto of ‘make play while the sun shines’, I have a quartet of sun-kissed ‘Spot the Dog’ options for you to scrutinise today.

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

Welcome to an early morning edition of ‘Spot the Dog’ - join us as we are serenaded by the cuckoo, catch glimpses of red deer in the distance and watch the skies lighten. Oh and before you get too distracted by all that nature, there’s a small matter of a black Labrador to find…

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

It’s slim pickings today but maybe you can ‘Spot the Dog’? Good luck!

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

Normal service has resumed - sadly, I am stuck with presenting yet another grey selection of ‘Spot the Dog’ scenes! Just a trio today, captured amidst the rain!

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

Well this is more like it. Sun, blue skies, a general brightness about the place. Ahhhh. Spring. Mabel is celebrating with some extra cunning ‘Spot the Dog’ options. Over to you.

(It has of course clouded over to a neutral grey now, but we always have this morning!)

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

Oh, so it’s all blue skies and sun now, *just* as I return from my walk. Not so during my walk though, which was a rather dull grey affair. I’ve done what I can with today’s ’Spot the Dog’ but we could really do with some sun about the place to appreciate all the spring colours coming through. Cloudy sun is fine - just a little something to pep things up and be less bleak!

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

Early doors today - with the teacher’s strike I have to be back in time for school!
1st Lesson: Maths. Q1. If Mabel joins me on a 7.2km walk and is off-lead for 4km of it, how long is Mabel’s walk?
2nd Lesson: ‘Spot the Dog’.
Class dismissed.

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #SupportTheStrikes #FairPayForAll #photography

We’re back on the hill today and, despite the unseasonably cold weather and general greyness about the place, Mabel had a blast! Can you ‘Spot the Dog’ as she rediscovered all her favourite places?

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

Apologies for yesterday’s ‘Spot the Dog’ hiatus - Mabel and I were unable to get to the hill. It looks like the same problem again today so we shall have to make do with some archived shots in the meantime to keep everyone’s eye in. Fingers crossed for tomorrow….

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

Often *dividing* opinion, *take away* their scary reputation as the UK’s only venomous snake & you will discover a shy, rarely aggressive, creature which only uses it venom as a last resort when threatened. As a protected species in the UK their numbers have been able to *multiply*. Despite their numbers a sighting is rare & can be *equal* in excitement to seeing a far more endangered creature. To *sum* up I am of course talking about the Adder.

#quantocks #wildlife #nature #environment #snake

It’s a super sunny Sunday (for now at least - the weather forecast suggests otherwise) and Mabel has had fun in the sun with another round of ‘Spot the Dog’.

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

Mabel’s been taking her hiding to ninja levels of late, so much so there has been some murmurings of doubt as to whether she’s even in some of the ‘Spot the Dog’ images! Today we’ve gone for a ‘hidden but easily found’ approach to give your eyes a rest. Well it is the weekend.

Image four is just for the fun of it!

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

Welcome to another round of ‘Spot the Dog’ - fingers on buzzers….

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

More sun and more trees for today’s ‘Spot the Dog’ - trunks and strong shadows means extra hiding places for Mabel! Over to you…

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography #trees

I’m not usually one to post photos of food but in honour of @BenHoare reaching the grand old age of 50 we’ve just overindulged on a springtime feast. The menu:
• Nettle Soup. Foraged this morning in my marigolds and topped with a violet flower from the Quantocks.
• Salmon with Asparagus and Wild Garlic Hollandaise. Wild garlic also harvested this morning, sans marigolds.
• Basque Cheesecake & Rhubarb Compote. Rhubarb du jardin & topped with another Quantock flower - the gorse.

#quantocks #food

Running late with today’s ‘Spot the Dog’ - one of those days! Can you find Mabel amongst all that heather?

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography

🎶 If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise;
If you go down to the woods today, you better go in disguise;
For eagle eyes if ever there was, should gather there for certain, because;
Today’s the day that Mabel plays Spot the DooOOog! 🎶

Good luck.

#quantocks #SpotTheDog #DogsOfMastodon #photography #trees