More signs of Spring

Continuing the theme of spring awakening, I have a few more images taken in various locations, but mainly in Suffolk and near to home. This is most peoples favourite time of year and you can see why. After the long drag of winter, to be awaked , as it were, by the sight of so much beauty, should make anyone cheerful!

One of our lesser seen wild flowers is the Snake's-head fritillary. It was not so long ago that the spring markets of Covent Garden were overflowing with the nodding, pink-and white-chequered blooms of snake's-head fritillaries. Handfuls picked from meadows beside the River Thames were taken to London by local children to be sold for a pretty penny or two. But, today, the carpets of this flower that once straddled our rivers and adorned our wet meadows have become a rare sight. Locally, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, have particular meadows open so that you can book to go and see them when in flower. The situation is as dire as that!

Hedgerows full of Blackthorne

The leaves of the Buttercup. You don't often notice them at the stage.

Ransoms or Wild Garlic. Another of the flowers I look forward to seeing in the woods and roadsides near home. You can usually smell them well before the flowers come fully into bloom.

Pathway through the very pungent Oilseed Rape

Scorpion Fly or perhaps better known as the Lacewing.

No spring would be complete without the Bluebell

Bearded Tit probable hunting for his young or maybe just nest building still. Who knows, but great to see.

The flowers of the Sweet Chestnut

Female Orange Tip butterfly. Common, but always great to see.

Duck symmetry - youngsters being shown their world.

As the Oilseed Rape dies back, so the poppies show through.

These things arrive every year without fail but I never get tired of looking out for them as I walk the countryside.

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