It was a beautiful late March spring sunny Saturday morning.  The plan was to take a look around the Hertfordshire town of Welwyn Garden city and then explore the countryside around Ayot Saint Lawrence.

Had a little wander around Welwyn Garden city, what was apparent from the gardens was spring was in full blossom.  Using Google explore I was keen to visit the countryside of Ayot Saint Lawrence nearby.

Ayot Saint Lawrence

I managed to park up in the little village opposite the pub and checked out the footpaths using OS Maps online and decided on a circular route to follow.

Only a small circular walk just to scout the area.  I had my compact camera with me, no tripod or filters.  Immediately after walking a small distance, the countryside around Ayot Saint Lawrence is very peaceful.  In the spring sunshine you could not help but feel happy to be outdoors in such glorious weather.

With the low March springtime sun behind me, the shadows of the trees reaching out from the foreground straddle down the golden hue of the recently ploughed fields.  The ancient Oak provides a focal point in the mid ground to anchor the eye.  The green field in the background creates colour contrast.  The sky was an empty space though, no clouds, no interest.

I was not the only creature out enjoying the late March spring sunshine.  A beautiful butterfly was perched on the blossom of the hedgerows.  Focusing on the butterfly and getting some Bokeh in the background blossom, I think the above photograph captures the essence of a beautiful spring day.

Old Church Ruins

I was not wearing the right clothing for a long hike so did a small circular down to to Kimpton Mill and then followed the Hertfordshire way back towards Ayot Saint Lawrence.  To give you an idea of how warm it was this day I took my top off sat under an Oak tree soaking up the sunshine, getting my vitamin D.

I had not really researched the walk around Ayot Saint Lawrence, but noticed on OS Maps there were some old church ruins just down from where my car was parked but in the opposite direction to the walk.

Wow! Then suddenly I discover the old church ruins of Ayot Saint Lawrence.  These old medieval churches are always photogenic when in the best of conditions.  I love photographing ruins much more, so an old church ruin is just superb.

I must have spent an hour in the old church graveyard shooting the ruins from different angles.  It was like photographing a beautiful photogenic supermodel. Its a shame I not do any research and visited the old church ruins first thing in the morning when the light would have been better.  But I knew I would return to Ayot Saint Lawrence for some more serious landscape photography.

The New Church

The old church was partially demolished due to ruining some Toffs view.  A new church was built further down with a completely different vibe.

The March daffodils were on their last legs of spring but wanted to include them in the foreground. Generally you should shoot flowers when they are in full bloom and in their prime.  But in this instance they added good colour contrast and foreground interest.

Hertfordshire Landscape Photography

This was my first landscape photography shoot around the county of Hertfordshire where I was now living.  Hertfordshire is not known for any dramatic landscapes.  But the countryside around Ayot Saint Lawrence stands out and I would return to photograph those old church ruins if nothing else.  But now it was time for a pint of ale in the local 16 century pub Brocket Arms.