I went a walk around the garden this morning and, despite the freezing cold weather and occasional snow flurry, there were still plenty of signs that Spring is just around the corner!
Mahonia is starting to flower - a good nectar source for any newly emerged bumble bees (when it gets warmer!)
The hazels have a few lamb's tail catkins
and the female pink "sea-anemone" type flowers are appearing.
As I heavily cropped the above photo I suddenly remembered the macro lens I had for Christmas! Never mind when it gets warmer I'll try and take some garden photos with it.
Bluebell leaves are pushing through in the wooded area at the top of the garden
and I found some tiny toadstools in the "wildflower meadow".
There are lots of buds on the camelias
Native primroses (Primula vulgaris) had "wilted" in the frost.
The colder weather has brought a few more bird species into the garden - a male sparrowhawk perched in the silver birch behind the pond for 40 minutes late afternoon a few days ago and today a pair of stock doves were feeding. The wren is still roosting in the hanging basket - constant entry has worn a hole in the moss and he or she seems to be spending the cold nights between moss and the plastic liner. A pair of blue tits are still investigating one of the nest boxes.
5 comments:
It looks so green there. I'd love to see a Sparrowhawk around here. Like you snapped shots of, I like to do the same with all buds right now....can't wait for my peach trees to bloom. It will be very soon:)
some lovely pics. although Spring is about to get delayed i believe!!
Rohrerbot - its amazing how much new growth there is already in the garden - can't wait for the spring fruit blossom either though its some months away here.
Pete - many thanks. I think you are right about the delay :D I've thought of going out somewhere several days this week but its so cold and it looks as though snow is on the way!
Your pictures are so cheery and lovely to have some colour back into the garden; just hope the flowers haven't peeped out too early .... finger crossed!
And walking briskly's ok but standing with a camera.. hmmmm
Thanks Tricia.
Must admit I went out walking for an hour yesterday (wearing zillions of layers!!) and left the camera behind! -7.9 degrees centigrade here last night!
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