.....or Yes, It's That Time Of Year Again.
That time of year when a rather scruffily-dressed old fellow goes stomping off into the local woodlands in search of the first signs of Spring.
It seems incredible that only a few days ago I was crunching along frozen pathways with frost on every branch and a chilly breeze penetrating the nether regions.
But great armies of Snowdrops were biding their time, just waiting for the weather to warm up.
Just a week ago I looked in at the lovely little Snowdrop wood at Frog End, which we've visited in previous years on this blog, but there were just a few buds struggling into flower.
Maybe I made the Frog End site sound as though it was something special, but beautiful as it is, it has equals in so many woodlands and copses in this area, including the little wood in my own village.
I hadn't even intended to take these pictures when I left home; I just wanted to get a bit of exercise before it started to rain again. I left my DSLR camera at home, but as I unlocked the back door to go out I grabbed my SLC (silly little camera) instead.
On a whim I took the path beside the tiny River Mel, now gurgling happily on its way after the recent rains.
After taking more than enough photos there I went to the churchyard where there's also a good show of Snowdrops and Aconites at this time of year.
Parts of the graveyard are left in a semi-wild state to encourage wildlife.
Although neither Snowdrops or Aconites are reckoned to be native to these islands, they have been here so long that they've gained the status of honorary members and nothing looks more natural to my eye than these little gold or white sparks of optimism glowing in the February gloom.
Then I returned the way I'd come - and of course took more photos.
There was even a stray beam of sunlight piercing the clouds and the bare branches.
I hadn't been expecting to see quite such a show of flowers, nor take so many photos. And I certainly wasn't expecting to see a bee out and about....
He must have got the calendar completely wrong! I hope he remembers to.....
Take care.
There is nothing quite like a walk through a woodland recently clad in spring flowers. I wish I could do the same thing here, but there is still a lot of patient waiting to be done. The whole continent has been frigid of late and shovelling snow has occupied more of our attention than spring blooms.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful, what a lovely treat this morning, thank you:)
ReplyDeleteSo many snowdrops! Lovely. We have plenty of snowdrops, too - just the other kind- about 2' of snow on the ground right now. Nice to get an advance preview of spring with your post.
ReplyDeleteHi John - just lovely to see ... gorgeous walk - so glad you invited us along ... also the aconites ... reminding me of my early days - looking forward to more - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you. You've inspired me to PMFO and GFAW.
ReplyDeleteDelightful images, a taste of Spring. Thank you John!
ReplyDeleteTHanks for giving your camera some exercise, as well as your legs bending waaaay down to get these beautiful flowers to send out for me to see. They amaze me...since ours are still a long way from now.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful signs of spring there. The Snowdrops have started blooming here and some daffodils too. It's such a delight to see them.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos! I find it hard to capture the beauty of white, but you've done it! Oh, and by the way, we really do live on other planets. I have white all around me, but it is snow!
ReplyDeleteNo Spring here yet, John. Thanks for sharing yours with me! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt does my soul good to see these photos. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThose snowdrops are beautiful! No wildflowers here yet - we're about a month away.
ReplyDeleteThese flowers are gorgeous!!! Thank you for sharing. They bring such smiles and happy thoughts. We don't have any of these in bloom here in New England. You are so blessed. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteStunning you have some beautiful displays of snowdrops there, I took mine in our garden.
ReplyDeleteBluebell woods of my childhood I recall lovingly - but snowdrops growing naturally in woodland settings such as your lovely photos show, I've never seen.
ReplyDeleteSuch delight!
Thank you John.
Your harbingers of spring have taken my breath away. All three of them. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a comfort it is to see these flowers and to think that spring will come here eventually!
ReplyDeleteThose flowers are speaking to us. Spring is marching forward!
ReplyDeleteIt will be many months before I see any blossoms here. More snow on it's way. Snow we currently have is frozen solid for 3 inches on top. Granddaughters can walk on top and I did when I wore snowshoes. But today tried without and broke through and fell down.
ReplyDeleteIt might be a silly little camera John, but it has captured the snowdrops and aconites perfectly.
ReplyDeleteOh, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! It'll still be two months before we see anything like that.
ReplyDeleteA delightfully pretty first sighting of spring John, they look gorgeous en masse 💙 Your SIL did a marvelous job, or should I say you did. I was watching two professional photographers talking a few days ago, they were of the opinion it's not the camera that takes a good shot it's the person who sees the shot, I agree 🌷
ReplyDeleteThere you go again, showing us how early spring arrives in your (relatively) tropical part of the world! I do love those Snowdrops!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post, John. I was looking forward to this. Snowdrop woods as well as Bluebell woods have been my longing.
ReplyDeleteYoko
I've read of snowdrops but this is the first I've ever seen. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteHere's a show from last Spring:
https://newmexnomad.blogspot.com/2020/04/on-way-to-albuquerque.html
What make/model is your SLC? It looks as if it'd be more than sufficient for my needs. (My little Sony DSC W830 recently gave up its ghost and I can't afford a DSLR.)
A few years ago Ricoh bough up the Pentax name and released a retro-styled high-end compact that they called the MX-1 (not to be confused with the old Pentax film camera of the same name). I can't recommend it as it was soon discontinued and replacement batteries are hard to come by. Also technology has moved on apace since then. If you want to take photos of plants and flowers I'd recommend getting a camera with a tilting screen to get down to those low angles.
DeleteYes I have noticed bees about - it has beeen quite warm here for a day or two but a sharp chilly wind today.
ReplyDeleteOh, my, we are not ready for this...well, let me rephrase that. The ground is not ready for this, but I am! We have not been above freezing for days...was -7°F this morn. And was colder than that yesterday morn.
ReplyDeleteOh dear I like your Snow Drops!and so many!!
ReplyDeleteWe are looking forward to spring here in Norway but still there is a cold air
wish you all good!
Thanx for sharing!
As I looked at the photos of your floral snowdrops, John, it was snowing actual snow outside my window. I do think yours are quite lovely as it will be some time before anything resembling spring blooms are seen here. The snow and ice need to melt away!
ReplyDelete"Gold and white sparks of optimism" is a perfect description! Beautiful photos. I don't think we've gotten enough rain to have significant desert blooms this year, but we will see.
ReplyDeleteOh the pictures were wonder. We are supposed to have our first 45+ degree day this week. I cannot even begin to tell you how anxious I am for it!
ReplyDeleteAn extra comment, John, to thank you so very much for recommending "A Whole life"! I just finished reading it and I thought it was really terrific. It has been on my mind and I was so moved by the writing and descriptions. It has made me think about my life and how much I have and what I really "need". Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos even with your SLC (hee hee). I use my new phone (iPhone 12 pro) more than I use my Canon now. The snow drops are just beautiful, graceful and striking en mass. We don't see them here in sub tropical Queensland.
ReplyDeleteWe only have your word for it that you are a scruffily-dressed old fellow John, but we do know that you are an excellent photographer :-)
ReplyDeleteOh so lovely, now I am so homesick for snowdrops in England.
ReplyDeleteLooks really spring. And we got more snow today again.
ReplyDeleteI've been missing you lately. I hope you are away on vacation enjoying yourself. I pray that you are in good health. Hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeletegracias por sus fotografías que me alegran y reconfortan, son muy bonitas.
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by to see how you are. It's been a while since you've posted here, John, and I miss your walks and photos. Hope all is well there.
ReplyDeleteEverything alright over your way John?
ReplyDeleteI found a patch of snow drops this morning and they made me very happy!
ReplyDeleteMissing you John - hope you are well and safe.
ReplyDeleteSending springtime good wishes.......
Mary -
I'm not the only one wondering if you're ok.
ReplyDeleteYes John, I had missed you too. I am stunned by the beauty of your photographs. That fungus,, to any craftworker (which I used to be before I shook so much) would be fascinated and desperate to get going on designs. And lower down your post there is a photograph of snowdrops in a corner of a fallen tree branch - the patterns on that branch are amazing.
ReplyDelete