Tuesday 16 December 2014

Christmas trees past



We never tire of this walk on the Sussex coast.
Every visit is different, dependant on tide, time of day, 
time of year and weather conditions.
Recently there have been storms and big tides which pushed all the shingle away 
to expose flat sand and



ancient preserved trees. 
Large chunks of a sunken forest have been torn up  
and thrown onto the beach.


Thought to be at least 6000 years old,
oak, birch and hazel have been identified in the peaty masses.
Sea levels here were about 100 feet lower than they are today
and the forest was preserved when sea levels rose and flooded the woodland.
What you see is not fossilised but the original spongy tree roots and branches.


Recent man made structures are also weathering
and present wonderfully sculptural eroded forms at low tide.






11 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos. Amazing to think about how the landscape has changed over thousands of years. I would love a walk on the beach, probably need to wait until Feb half-term.

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  2. Such wonderful man/nature sculptures! We had similar thoughts today in that there is always some beauty to be found in every season, especially where nature reigns :)

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  3. I can feel the crisp , salty chill breeze ...
    What a wonderful beach to walk along !

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  4. As usual, you're seeing the world with such insightful and thoughtful eyes, and I love looking through them.

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  5. Such wonders! I would so like to see those wonderful forms.

    Looks like you had a nice bright day for photography :)

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  6. I love the thought of ancient forests being uncovered and can't quite believe they still exist after all this time.

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  7. It is amazing to think of things that old being visible now and on your beach. The modern scrulptures are rather stunning too.

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  8. I am so looking forward to walking along a Sussex beach again - soon...

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  9. Hello again Lucille. I've just left you a comment re the K Fforde kitchen takeover, but find this post even more intriguing. I would love to see that shore line as the fierce tides uncover very old treaures.

    Thank you so much for these marvelous photographs. xo

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