We returned to Herefordshire last week arriving on the Tuesday lunchtime.
The Herefordshire Oak in all its glory
The Octopus Tree
I was quite pleased to see that the new owners have not mown the top field just a strip around the edges and we are now starting to get wild flowers appear - masses of dandelions :) A new warden for the site has been appointed but we haven't seen him or his wife to speak to.
The Constable Tree(s)
There has been quite a change in all the trees particularly the Herefordshire Oak since our last visit in April.
I just love May with the hedgerows full of flowering Hawthorn, Cow Parsley, Dandelions, Wild Garlic, Garlic Mustard, Greater Stitchwort and a few late flowering Cowslips.
Hawthorn
I saw bats and listened to them several nights on the bat detector - I am sure they are Natterers from the large range of their echolocation calls as revealed by the detector. I treated myself to this bat suncatcher to hang in the window by the table.
A trip to the Hen House for eggs and lots of Dandelions in the field there too.
We have masses of flowers on the Rosemary
There is a lot of blossom on the apple tree in the garden and I am hoping for a bumper crop this year.
Forget me Nots - the centre of the flowers fade from yellow to white when they have been pollinated to alert insects that no nectar is now available.
I don't think Periwinkles ever stop flowering!
Garlic Mustard
Stamens on Hawthorn flowers change to a dark red colour when the flower has been pollinated and just as with Forget Me Nots it alerts insects to the fact that there is now no nectar available and they need to look elsewhere.
White Honesty
One of the bee hotels is very popular with a species of mason bee - Red Mason Bee I think.
Timothy back on his shelf!
I bought this paper tree to hang Easter decorations and I decided to take it to the caravan as it would be ideal to hang the silver birch bark apples I bought at Tenbury Wells Apple Festival. I would have preferred a natural tree twig but it is finding one that is the right shape that is proving difficult!
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks.)
11 comments:
good to be back eh :) the tree looks great!
Thanks Pete and yes it was good to return :) I love that tree!
I didn't know about the stamens changing colour, and knew that Forget-me-nots faded but didn't know the reason. Glad the new owners are gardening for wildlife, so to speak.
Everything looks wonderful. I'm glad that the change of owner at your site hasn't brought too many changes. Fascinating about the Forget me nots - we have loads so I'm going to have a good look at some of them and see how many have been pollinated. Good to see Timothy on his shelf and I love your bat sun catcher and paper tree:)
Bovey Belle - Thanks. We shall have to see what the future brings re the site! I suspect not all caravan owners there are happy about the top field but I am!!! :)
Rosie Thanks so much. New owners have said they will not make any changes this year while they get to know the owners but we shall have to see what happens next year! I knew abou the Forget Me Nots but only discovered about the Hawthorn flowers recently.
I never knew about the stamens or petals changing colour - stops a lot of wasted journeys for bees!
glad you are up to going back again. lovely to see all the spring flowers.
Timothy must be sweltering in this heat!
Thanks BB and yes it does. I noticed some of the stamens on horse chestnut candles when we were out today were different colours and I've just googled the same thing happens to them too once pollinated!
Thanks Debbie. To be honest I am learning to go there and and go out more when I can in case it returns. Poor Timothy I need to dig out his t shirt :)
The oak tree looks stunning and blooms are delightful.
Hello Timothy I hope you are enjoying your adventure.
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