August 22nd – The cereal harvest is now over, although the maize is still growing tall, and the potatoes are still maturing gently in the fields. On my way to work I headed down Green Lane, Walsall Wood and spotted this great view of the field of barley I’d photographed before. The harvest had been ongoing here for a few days, the trailers and tractors creating frequent traffic holdups. I love harvest time.
August 9th – Down by Goblin Woods, just off Green Lane, Walsall Wood, there’s a field of barley gently ripening in the late afternoon sun. It’s an interesting strain as it’s very short, and I think it must be being organically grown due the high quantity of weeds in the crop. Nevertheless, it looks gorgeous against the trees, and is in superb condition. Wonder if it’s being grown for brewing?
July 28th – I know I keep returning to this. but it’s rather fantastic. The fields right now are just on the edge of harvest, and are positively glowing with gorgeous colour. Here at Harehurst Hill, near Wall overlooking a wheat field on a fine sunny afternoon, I seem a million miles away from the cold and chills of last winter’s dark commutes. Oh, for an endless summer…
July 24th – I would expect that if the weather holds, the harvest will begin in earnest soon. Near Shenstone, the rapeseed either side of their path to Footherley is bone dry and very ripe. Full of bugs and animals, pretty soon this field like so many others will be stubble, and then ploughed again. It’s odd to think that all the drama of the vivid yellow flowers, the scent, the visual assault… all for a tiny black seed, laden with oil.
July 16th – as the wheat ripens and awaits dry enough conditions for harvest, the countryside is lined by the memory of farm vehicles imprinted at planting time. I always marvel at this, the shapes formed are intriguing and sometimes perplexing. Looking toward Aldershawe Lodge near Wall, it won’t be long before this fine crop is harvested.
July 13th – As Summer’s clock mechanism whirs away, inexorably ticking the days away until autumn, little markers fall in place like the escapement of a precision mechanism. Flowers bloom and fade, trees blossom and fruit, animals breed and fledge. Today’s marker is this very nearly ripe field of wheat at Harehurst Hill, between Wall and Lichfield. Almost overnight it has transformed from a fresh green to a warm gold. Soon, it will be harvested, another marker in time’s passage.
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