Doug Shepherd's photos

Grey Heron - by the River Derwent, East Ayton, North Yorkshire

The woodland in Forge Valley, and many other valleys in this area, are carpeted with wild garlic in the spring. The crop this year seems to be more abundant than ever, perhaps due to all the rain we have had over the past few months. The picture shows only a very small part of the carpet. Beyond the fallen tree the gill becomes much more narrow, and deeper, with steep slopes ending in vertical rock walls of about 3 to 4 meters height. A footpath descends from the high ground at the top of the gill, allowing easy access from my home to this part of Forge Valley. (see PiP) **The Yorkshire dialect word Gill or ghyll, from the Old Norse, means small narrow valley or ravine. **Reference: www.viking.no/e/england/yorkshire_norse.htm

Waters of the river Derwent - West Ayton

Mature horse chestnut trees grow to a height of around 40m and can live for up to 300 years. This specimen is located in Forge Valley Woods near the River Derwent.

Low Mill Weir on the River Derwent, which forms the border between the villages of East and West Ayton, North Yorkshire.

Low Mill Weir on the River Derwent, which forms the border between the villages of East and West Ayton, North Yorkshire.

Yedmandale Road - West Ayton