After I showed the photo that won me a popular vote a couple of years ago, some of you were kind enough to ask to see the one that came second. I’m pretty sure I may have shown it before, but here we are. It’s of a lake not too far from here: a wooded location that’s quite well known and appreciated hereabouts, despite not being tremendously accessible. Here’s Eavestone Lake in summer …
…. and in autumn, when the successful shot was taken…
It’s set among rocks, to which trees sometimes cling tenaciously, and it’s hard to navigate your way through. Eavestone Lake may once have been a mediaeval fishpond for nearby Fountains Abbey. There’s even evidence that later, it may have formed part of a designed landscape: the lake has been dammed, and there are signs of careful planting if you know where to look (I don’t).
We once met an Oldest Inhabitant there, and he told us that the whole area had been almost entirely hacked back to the bone in the 1930s, for logging purposes. Abandoned, the trees took matters into their own hands to regenerate. They’ve done a pretty good job, I’d say. And they are part of a special area. Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
Excellent photograph, Margaret. I love the reflection. A worthy prize winner.
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Thanks! Honour and glory, however fleeting, and even unaccompanied by a fat cheque or a silver cup is rather good.
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Lovely shots, as ever. The reflection in the first one is a little discombobulating until you take the time to look closely.
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The whole area is a little like that, which is what makes it so captivating.
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Love it! We’re a bit chalk and cheese, Margaret, but I do have an image not dissimilar to your first, with those trailing russet leaves. That’s my favourite image here. I do have a soul, but I keep it well hidden.
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I know you have a soul. You post beauty after beauty on your blog.
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xx
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Thanks for posting this,Margaret….what a great area
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It’s lovely, and so hidden away.
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It is a lovely place Margaret
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I like it a lot.
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What a beautiful place! And such lovely images. Fall is my favorite time of year to be out taking pictures.
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It’s a rewarding time of year to be out with a camera.
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Ahhhh thank you! A very worthy 2nd place shot of a very beautiful location. Autumn looks particularly stunning.
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It does well for itself in that little spot. Thanks Sandra.
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What a lovely composition you made with the branches and their refection. All lovely shots bit to me the fall colours win the day. Congrats!
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ChanyanutSawasdee1103701965541
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Thank you. Yes, autumn is great for atmospheric shots.
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We must add this to our list for a future Yorkshire visit, it looks lovely. And again, not surprising that your photo attracted lots of votes and placed second, it’s a lovely evocation of autumn 😀
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Thanks Sarah. Eavestone Lake is handily placed to fit in with a visit to Fountains Abbey too.
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Beautiful. Nature will fix man’s mistakes eventually, and she does a fantastic job!
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Doesn’t she just?!
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A beautiful old mossy tree, hard to tell up from down. I like how nature regenerates when we leave things alone. This looks like a wonderful place to visit in the autumn especially. Well done on 2nd place too!
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Thanks Jude. It’s a fairly small gem, which you can explore and enjoy for hours.
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What a beautiful place and lovely to see it thriving, despite the meddling of humans!
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We humans are so good at meddling. Nature has a habit of re-establishing itself, given even half a chance.
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It’s like paradise, Margaret. Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos.
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It’s a lovely little open secret.
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Another excellent picture! I like them all, actually, it’s not a place I’ve ever heard of and the history is interesting. Good for the trees!
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Thrre’s no reason to have heard of it if you’re not a local. We’ll keep it to ourselves thanks – though a few privileged bloggers might be granted access!
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*wonders who that could be*
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😉
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What a wonderful walk through a magical forest!! Thank you, Margaret.
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Thanks for coming along, Rebecca.
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Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing them. Love the tree hanging over the water with rusty leaves.
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It’s a real beauty, isn’t it? I thought it deserved a portrait.
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Wow Margaret, that looks like an amazing place and the photos are fantastic.
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It IS a lovely place. Thanks!
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Remarkable photo captures! The first one, wow…
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It’s a tree worth photographing! Thanks.
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