As
ever, spring is arriving in fits and starts. Wednesday was warm and sunny, more
like summer, but today it’s cold and grey again. Nevertheless there was much to
see on my walk this morning.
 |
| Blackthorn was in full bloom in the hedgerows |
 |
| This ewe and her lamb caught my eye . . . |
.
 |
| . . . as did this green-eyed cat |
 |
The flowers of Jack-by-the-hedge, also known as Garlic Mustard, have arrived in the last couple of days. The Orange-tip butterfly likes to lay her eggs on this plant. (The butterfly is named after the male as the female does not have orange-tipped wings. Both however have dappled green and white underwings.)
Ivy berries are an important food for birds at this hungry time of year
|
 |
The
weeping willow on the lane below my house, always the first of the trees to
burst into leaf |
 |
| Around my pond: the giant water buttercups known as Kingcups |
 |
| Wild garlic at the bottom of my garden. I planted a few bulbs many years ago and now I have a profusion |
Oh Belinda, thank you! Spring is clearly as well underway in your neck of the woods as autumn is in mine. It will be a low of 2C overnight here, so there is promise of beautiful autumn colour from all the deciduous trees, but also the worry of which pot of preciousness has been overlooked and not moved under cover.
ReplyDeleteI've thoroughly enjoyed a spring walk with you, and spent most time with your kingcups. I've not seen them anywhere but in England's West Country so they brought back memories that sent me off to old photo albums.I remember jack-by-the hedge, but didn't it served a particular butterfly. I loved your willow - there was a stage here during our Millenium Drought that farmers had to cut down all the willows along our local rivers so as to favour indigenous trees - I'm happy to say I've noticed a quiet resurgence recently.
And Thank You particularly for the ewe and her lamb - that heavy pelt and baby definitely says spring is there, and while our days are shortening, it's only a matter of time before the cycle moves again.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the pictures, Beth. There was nothing spectacular on the walk but it was very happy one nonetheless, and I'm glad I could share it.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank for you news from the other side of the world. It's fascinating. I approve of favouring indigenous trees - but it must have been sad to cut down all those willows. They are a determined tree however, forever seeding themselves round my pond and having to be removed before they destroy it!
It is always so lovely to see the garden coming back to life after winter. I often look at mine in February and can never imagine it looking full and colourful again but it always gets there eventually. X
ReplyDeleteIndeed it does, and I try not to be too impatient and just enjoy spring as it slowly unfolds. x
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful meander through your spring, B! As always I love your fount of knowledge and pleasure in wild things. I adore kingcups and I have wild garlic by my stream too...I love the way it comes back more profusely every year. X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Trish. x
ReplyDelete