Late Spring Walk 27.5.13

Everything is about a month late this year. 

Leaves have now burst on the trees, though not all of them, and many early spring flowers are in bloom. Soon it will be the longest day, high summer! May be on paper, summer's here, but not on the ground.

We walked along the lakes at Ruskin Mill, here in Nailsworth, up across the fields to the Bath Road and then back down to the mill once more to finish off.

Ramson (Wild Garlic) beside Ruskin Mill Lake.

Female Coot.

Crab Apple blossom.

Ramson running up a wooded bank.

A field of Buttercups beside the A46.

Such a big display.

Gorgeous Buttercup glowing in the late afternoon sun.

Horsley village.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - female - nape of her neck is black, not red.

These aren't very good photos,

but they are the best I could get,

without wading out into Ruskin Mill Lake!

Beside the lake, a Kingfisher sat quietly, soaking up the warmth of the sun.

As ever, a Heron was hanging around. Well they do have a trout farm here too.

Everything's Coming Up Too Fast

I can't keep up with all the plants as they appear.

NO PRESSURE!

It's the grasses as well as the flowers that are catching my eye at present, making it hard to walk any distance without constantly stopping and going oooooo.

The plant above Woodruff (Galium odoratum)  had the tiniest flowers and the lovliest glossy leaves.


This little thing  below, Sanicle (Sanicula europaea), , has little fingers sticking out all the way around each flower head. Both plants were nestling in the dark wood.

This little yellow flower nestles low in the grass is either Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil 


(Lotus pedunculatus) or Common Bird's-foot-


trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). One thing's for 


sure; it's a Birds Foot Trefoil!

Sorrel, already in flower, it's leaves aren't so good to eat here on in.

Same Butterfly twice. Still to be identified! 

Common Blue. Shame really, I was hoping it was a rarity. 

This might be one of 2 plants;  Cat's-ear or  Hawkbit  It's hard to tell them apart!

On a dewy morning like this one, the cobwebs nestling in the grass, just above soil level, sparkle as I walk past.

Grasses look amazing  at the moment, both singly and as a meadow.

Below 

Orange Foxtail (Alopecurus aequalis)

Scabious, so refreshing, I have one in my garden.

I also have buttercups, only I don't really want them! These ones helped make the meadow  they were in glow golden.