Morning mist brought a tang of autumn but by midday the sky was clear blue, the air was warm and the sun was casting deep shadows in the forest.

 

forêt de fontainebleau rocks and trees

 

The boulders (a characteristic feature of the Forêt de Fontainebleau) seem to gather among the trees, like resting herds of large, peaceful animals.

 

boulder forêt de fontainebleau

 

In reality, of course, it’s the trees that have found shelter among the boulders, taking root in rocky hollows and crevices filled with leaf mould.

 

beech seedling boulder forêt de fontainebleau

 

Among the boulders the seeds of pine, beech and chestnut trees are protected from rooting wild boar but even so, only a tiny proportion of the seedlings have a long future ahead of them.

(Click on any image for a closer view)