In this week’s Landscape Photography trip, I journey to Mortimer Forest just outside Ludlow where I discover a profusion of wild garlic in bloom along with a carpet of bluebells to shoot, providing both some beautiful intimate and wider nature images along with an olfactory delight.

Mortimer Forest, on the outskirts of Ludlow, straddles the Shropshire and Herefordshire border covering over a thousand hectares.

Although originally made up of ancient royal chases and deer parks, the forest we see today was largely planted by the Forestry Commission in the 1920s. It was named after the Mortimer Family, Norman Lords who held power over the region for some 300 years.

The forest is rich in wildlife. Spectacular birds of prey can be found here and small birds such as nuthatches and warblers are often seen. Open spaces within the forest provide warm spots for butterflies, the Wood White being an important species and open places for reptiles to bask in the sun. Keep an eye out for the unique long haired fallow deer which lives in the forest. The wildlife which you can’t see is just as important. Dead wood provides homes for insects and fungi that feed the forest by breaking down nutrients.

Wild garlic is a medium-sized bulbous perennial with a distinctive and pungent garlicky smell that pervades woodland in spring.
Wild garlic is common and widespread across the UK. It favours deciduous woodland and chalky soils. You can also spot it in scrub and hedgerows but it prefers damp areas.

Wild garlic is one of a number of plant species whose presence indicates that a wood is ancient. It has traditionally been used in medicine, the bulb being one of the key ingredients in tonics for rheumatic problems and high cholesterol.

It is also a popular foraged ingredient. Its leaves can be eaten raw in salads, or blanched and used in place of spinach, or made into a delicious soup and pesto. They have a mild garlic flavour and are at their best before the flowers appear. The flowers are also edible and can be added raw to salads.

My channel aims to inspire you to get outside, into nature, into the countryside, experience the great outdoors and enjoy the landscape from where I share my photography trips, travels and adventures, hoping to encourage and motivate you to venture out and take a few images along the way - if you have enjoyed this video please consider subscribing to enjoy future episodes.

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Filmed on June 7th 2021

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Gear
Stills Camera: Nikon D5300
Vlogging Camera: Sony ZV1
Aerial footage: DJI Mavic Pro
Audio: Rode Wireless Go Mic
Handheld Gimbal - Zhiyun Crane M2

Lenses:
Nikkor 10-24mm f3.5
Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8
Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8