Jon Vernon

A few weeks ago the Dartmoor Trust Photo archive put out a call on Twitter to identify the location of a photo of #Dartmoor taken in the 1920s.

A few of us identified it as Bonehill Rocks.

Was passing by today so thought it would be interesting to try and grab a photo from the same spot.

Nov 11, 2022 at 1:49pmMetatext
Show threadFreyalyn 🌻🌨️ 🌲 🎄 🌲 🌨️Nov 11, 2022
@onlyindevon Fascinating to see sheep tracks through the bracken than haven't even moved!
Show threadJon VernonNov 11, 2022
@Freyalyn Yes - I guess it's because sheep are hefted to the same place over generations - almost like a herd memory?
Show threadFreyalyn 🌻🌨️ 🌲 🎄 🌲 🌨️Nov 11, 2022

@onlyindevon Yes and of course generations of sheep will have carved out the easiest (if not most direct or obvious) route and lambs have followed their mothers.

We used to have hefted sheep on my local moor, but they were all shot during F&M. Amazing how many trees we have growing through the bracken now.

Show threadJon VernonNov 11, 2022
@Freyalyn The same thing has happened here in some areas where grazing has been reduced. Much more of a "mosaic" habitat.
Show threadFreyalyn 🌻🌨️ 🌲 🎄 🌲 🌨️Nov 11, 2022
@onlyindevon Shows how easily nearly everywhere in the UK would turn back to scrub and then woodland if there was nothing to stop them.
Show threadJon VernonNov 11, 2022
@Freyalyn As with everything, I guess it's finding the right balance.
Show threadGia ScottNov 11, 2022
@onlyindevon Now that is really cool!
Show threadPaulNov 11, 2022
@onlyindevon Crossposting this here as well just to confirm that yes, you found the same spot…
Show threadJon VernonNov 11, 2022
@pauloneill yay!
Show threadJon VernonNov 11, 2022
@pauloneill I can't stop looking at this. It felt a bit eerie standing there earlier, and almost even more so now.