THE QUIETNESS OF WINTER

As I write this article its nearing the end of an exceptionally long rainy January (2026). Those sort of days when you want it to get dark because at least the street lights come on! The driving rain is covering my tiny lawn with puddles but a brief visit from a pair of blackbirds looking for worms cheers me up a bit. I am feeling a sense of disappointment as I haven’t really hit the ground running with photography so far this year, despite my gung-ho new year social media posts. I am feeling frustrated that I missed a couple of rare frosty oppotunites earlier on in the month.

But fear not, there is some winter left and it can be a great season for photography; moody seascapes with a lovely sense of quietness on the beaches, starling murmurations, noticing the stark shapes of naked branches in the local wood and generally there is more atmosphere and gentle light. But my favourite has to be those frosty mornings, especially living so near the New Forest and the Dorset countryside. Here are a few of my winter highlights:

Mogshade Pond - New Forest

Not far from Lyndhurst, this is a gem of a spot and perfectly positioned for a winter sunrise particularly when iced over. This, combined with the intricate shapes of several impressive Scandanavion looking treelines makes for a very special winter scene. The nearest parking enclosure is Bratley View, just a bit further along from Bolderwood where you can catch stunning rays through the tall trees.

ICED OVER

KEEP OFF THE ICE!

FIRE AND ICE

Around the New Forest - my local patches

I am lucky that I live within easy reach of with a variety of other New Forest spots which I can consider local patches. Wootten Bridge, Longslade Bottom and Wilverley Plain enclosures, between Burley and Brockenhurst at all spots where you can safely park up and take a wander though heathland and woodland with some magical views. Here are a few of my favourite images from that area.

A RARE HOAR FROST

FROST AND FOG IN THE WOODLAND

A FROSTY SCENE UNDER A RED SKY

GOLDEN HOUR FROST

The Dorset countryside

The Dorset countryside varies from rolling pastorial fields, chalk downlands further north, as the county borders Wiltshire, to the heathland of the Purbeck Hills. My favourite winter spots are along the River Stour meandering through the county via Wimborne to Christchurch with frosty banks and quaint bridges. The intriguing ruins of Knowlton Church near Wimborne are stunning especially if the surrounding earthworks are covered in hard frost.

A FROSTY MORNING ON THE RIVER STOUR - WHITEMILL BRIDGE

KNOWLTON CHURCH IN THE FROST

So come on 2026. Fingers crossed for a frosty February!!