The walk along Highland water in the New Forest is always a real pleasure. Here the meandering river has high banks and there are some wonderful ancient trees that command a real presence. There’s frequent evidence and sightings of ponies and deer, albeit at differing distances. .The intensity of the colour change of the leaves will be greatest if there’s no summer drought and cold but not freezing sunny Autumn weather. Photographers’ hopes can be raised, only for these to be thwarted when strong winds strip the leaves before full colour has developed..This elevated viewpoint was chosen to facilitate setting several types of tree against the silvery flow of Highland Water. At the time I was composing this picture, I was unsure about whether to include the foreground branch, as I though it was too bright. Subsequently I’m glad that I did, because it provides a link with the top of the image..