Morning magic in Belleek Wood

‘Fog’s rollin’ off the East River Bank‘ – the opening line of Bleecker Street, the lovely Paul Simon song – came to mind as I witnessed a rolling bank of fog smother the River Moy and suddenly change the entire appearance of a sunny, frosty morning that moments earlier had illuminated the woodland with streams of light.

It was a busy mid-February Friday morning in Belleek Wood with walkers and joggers glad to see the sun return this week after one of the wettest and gloomiest winters Ireland has experienced in decades.

It’s great to see how a sunny morning can so visibly lift people’s spirits.

And the dazzlingly bright sun also lit up the darkest corners of the woodland with beams of gentle light revealing all the colours of the trees and forest floor.

The sun rays bursting from the deep blue sky danced off the bare branches of tall trees, creating beautiful sun flares and starbursts between the branches over the Belleek Wood duck pond, a place that is popular with families.

The tranquil scene was completed by the sight of a Kayaker taking advantage of the calm waters of the River Moy to speedily make his way up river towards Ballina.

The sudden onset of fog was another wonderful display of nature’s powerful forces which we can only admire but never control.

Here are some photos of Belleek Wood telling the story of this morning’s walk in the wood.