November’s Tapestry

Embarking on a journey through the crisp and colorful landscapes of the High Weald in November was a captivating exploration of autumn’s last breath. From misty woodlands near Three Cups Corner to the elevated views from Herrings Hill and the serene beauty of Dallington, each adventure painted a unique canvas of nature’s transformation. As the month unfolded, I navigated familiar paths and sought out new viewpoints, capturing the essence of the season. Join me in reliving the November escapades that unfolded amid misty mornings, vibrant hues, and the quiet beauty of the High Weald.

Brightling Temple High Weald

Explored the lesser-known woodlands near Woods Corner on the High Weald in East Sussex, aiming for fresh perspectives on Brightling Temple. Venturing beyond the usual footpaths, I discovered a promising viewpoint in the fields surrounding the temple. The atmosphere felt a bit trespass-y, like I was on private land, and I half-expected an irate landowner to appear at any moment.

Perhaps a lesson in patience—waiting just a bit longer could have rewarded me with the morning sun illuminating the temple, a reminder that sometimes, good things come to those who wait.

Woods Corner Beech Tree

While retracing my steps from Brightling Temple’s woodland, I stumbled upon a majestic ancient beech tree near Woods Corner. Towering above the surrounding trees, it showcased vibrant golden-brown hues, reaching its autumn peak. Positioned alongside a gentle stream, the scene offered a picturesque woodland composition.

It dawned on me that a compelling woodland shot often involves simple yet powerful elements: a babbling brook, tree roots extending into the stream, autumn leaves, moss, mushrooms, hanging branches, and the play of sunlight filtering through the canopy. It’s amazing what a keen eye for observation can unveil in the heart of nature.

Burwash Weald Autumn woodland

After a satisfying shoot, instead of heading home, I decided to extend my autumn exploration in the High Weald near Burwash Common. A quick Google Maps search led me to Tottingworth Farm and Cafe near Broad Oak, where a delightful sausage sandwich and coffee rejuvenated me for the next adventure.

Parking along Willingford Lane, I took footpaths over the hills, and the views didn’t disappoint. The play of light and the presence of cumulus clouds transformed the landscape, proving how the right conditions and season can make all the difference. Even a route walked on a dull summer day didn’t warrant a camera, highlighting the magic of autumn.

Despite some over-coppiced woodland, the journey became worthwhile with a stunning westward view to Park Hill. Imagining the potential of this composition during golden hour left me eagerly anticipating a return to capture the High Weald’s beauty in its prime.

Penhurst Lane Dawn

With the constraints of a full-time schedule and the limited daylight hours of November, weekends become my gateway to explore the autumnal beauty between Battle and Burwash on the High Weald. The strategy involves revisiting cherished spots and scouting for new ones if conditions permit.

This Saturday brought optimal conditions for a walk over the High Weald during autumn. My sights were set on one of my favorite viewpoints—Penhurst Lane, offering a westward perspective to the South Downs. While the mist was present but thinner than expected, my optimism persisted.

However, a technical hiccup presented itself. With my tripod set too high, achieving the right composition proved challenging as I couldn’t see through the viewfinder. Lesson learned—patience is key. Waiting a bit longer for the morning light to gracefully touch the grassy hills and accentuate the contours would have likely elevated the shot. When mounted on the tripod, I transition to full manual mode, allowing complete control over exposure for optimal results.

Penhurst Misty Vale

A mere 100 yards down Penhurst Lane, a captivating eastward view unfolded, revealing an optimal misty vale. The interplay of sunlight streaks piercing through the mist added layers of enchantment, with woodlands extending southward to the East Sussex coast.

Capturing the intricate details of the High Weald often demands some distance, making the 70-200mm lens my go-to choice. In hindsight, a lesson learned: remember to take a few panoramas, especially when utilizing the telephoto end of the lens. Nevertheless, my favorite shot of the morning remains fixed on the mesmerizing shapes and layers of misty woodlands..

Later in the day, I crossed paths with another landscape photographer who shared an intriguing tidbit. She suggested that this location might be the inspiration for Turner’s Ashburnham Vale painting. While unsure, considering the potential changes in names and landscapes over 200 years, the connection added a layer of historical intrigue to the misty beauty of Penhurst.

Herring’s Hill viewpoint

Embarking on a substantial hike from Penhurst Lane, I traversed the High Weald under the radiant November morning sun, driven by the goal of exploring the vistas from another elevated point—Herring’s Lane.

Upon reaching the Herrings Lane viewpoint, the rewards were ample. Stunning westward views unfolded, showcasing the South Downs in the distance. The landscape was adorned with autumnal woodlands, and even a pastoral touch with sheep grazing in the foreground added to the picturesque scene. With such promising prospects, the plan is now set to return for a sunrise expedition to Herring’s Lane on my next trip, provided the conditions align for a memorable and visually captivating experience.

Burwash Weald Sunset

After an extensive morning exploring the High Weald in November, fatigue and hunger had set in. However, the promising conditions for a spectacular sunset over Burwash Weald beckoned, especially with impending rain in the forecast for the following days. Determined not to miss the chance, I opted for a much-needed stop at a nearby cafe in Netherfield, treating myself to a delicious all-day breakfast and fresh coffee to recharge.

Feeling revived, I returned to Willingford Lane, one of my favorite viewpoints over the High Weald. To achieve the desired composition and avoid a roadside hedge obstructing the view, I trespassed onto private land, setting up my tripod for the perfect shot. Unfortunately, nature had its own plans. The setting sun, which I had hoped would illuminate the landscape during golden hour, was obstructed by clouds to the southwest. Despite the setback, it was a valuable lesson in adapting to unpredictable conditions and the ever-changing dynamics of landscape photography.

Three Cups Corner Waterfalls

Facing a Saturday washout after a week of work was frustrating, but Sunday’s dry weather provided an opportunity to explore a new location on the High Weald in East Sussex, hoping to capture the essence of autumn woodlands. Originally planning a route north through Dallington Forest and back via different footpaths, I decided on a detour through woodland near Three Cups Corner where I was parked. Despite appearing modest on OS Maps, the woodland revealed its charm with a babbling stream meandering through, adorned with small waterfalls. These water features acted as focal points, grounding the eye in the midst of a chaotic autumn woodland scene.

Continuing the walk through the woodland, the small waterfalls persisted, requiring the use of a tripod in the dark forest canopy. Waterproof boots, preferably above-the-ankle Wellingtons, would have been ideal.

The polarizer intensified the colours, and focus stacking became necessary. Any twigs or debris that could easily be removed on location stick out when post processing. But if you forget to remove these distractions on site can always use Photoshops powerful Remove tool. Immersed in this Three Cups Corner woodland for most of the morning, I was aware of the dynamic sky above, although there was little I could do to capture it. The experience reinforced the wisdom that “a man who chases two rabbits catches none,” emphasizing the importance of focusing on the beauty unfolding in the immediate surroundings.

Dallington Church High Weald

Navigating the intricate network of country lanes in the High Weald near Dallington feels like traversing a maze. After a satisfying hike, I often opt for a route home that includes unfamiliar lanes, even though I acknowledge it doesn’t substitute for the depth of exploration one can achieve on foot.

During such a drive, I stumbled upon an old viewpoint showcasing St Giles Church in Dallington, standing proudly amid the autumnal splendour of the High Weald. Learning from the experience, I’ve started marking these locations on Google Maps for future reference. This way, if you use Google Photos to store your mobile phone pictures, it automatically associates them with their map locations.

Seizing the opportunity, I set up by a field gate, employing it as a support while shooting at 200mm with the 70-200mm lens. A portrait composition proved to be stronger than landscape. Despite the looming dark clouds, the sun continued to illuminate the trees and the church, creating a striking contrast. While anticipating a possible rainbow over the church, the rain held off, and the sun eventually disappeared for the rest of the day. Nevertheless, it proved to be a worthwhile detour, providing a beautiful late November composition.

Dallington Church Dawn

Returning to the high weald viewpoint overlooking Saint Giles Church in Dallington on the last weekend of November was a refreshing experience. The village, perched high amidst late autumnal countryside and woodland, provided an idyllic scene. The morning was crisp, clear, and frosty, with bright skies and no wind. While not the ideal conditions for landscape photography, it was perfect for a hike and soaking up some much-needed sunshine and vitamin D after a week indoors.

In an ideal scenario, the morning would have been adorned with gentle mist hugging and simplifying the ground, accompanied by colorful clouds in the sky blending with the hues of the woodland trees, catching the morning directional light. Despite the absence of these elements, the clear and serene morning still offered a valuable opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the High Weald in its late autumn glory.

Ashburnham misty morning view

Embarking on what might be my final autumn walk of November, I planned to explore new footpaths over the High Weald, starting from Herrings Hill towards Ashburnham. The goal was to savour the last remnants of autumn, even though it had passed its peak, and perhaps uncover new viewpoints from the High Weald to the South Downs, heading due southwest and back.

Approaching Ashburnham Vale, some majestic views unfolded towards the South Downs. The scene was adorned with late autumn mature woodland trees in the midground, and the morning sun bathed the South Downs hills. Lingering morning mist added an ethereal touch to the valley and the foot of the hills. What I love is it captures the transition from November to December, autumn to winter. A flock of birds soared through the scene, injecting motion and dynamism. Despite using my 200mm lens at 1/250, there was still some motion blur with the flock. Unfortunately, I didn’t think to switch to my custom settings specifically crafted for this scenario at the time. The presence of a hedge and field in the foreground wasn’t ideal, but access was limited. Despite these challenges, the overall composition captured a captivating moment in the misty morning view of Ashburnham.

November Autumn Farewell

Concluding my November escapades over the High Weald, the month unfolded with a blend of familiar and new discoveries. From misty woodland scenes near Three Cups Corner to the panoramic views from Herrings Hill and the tranquil beauty of Dallington, each outing offered a unique glimpse into the autumnal transformation.

Despite variable weather conditions and the challenges of capturing the perfect shot, the High Weald remained a source of inspiration. As autumn bid its farewell, I found solace in the crisp air, vibrant colours, and the quietude of the natural landscapes, making each expedition a rewarding chapter in my seasonal exploration.

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