I love snowdrops….in every way.
The name comes from the Greek “gala” meaning milk and “anthos” meaning flower and their flower meaning is consolation, hope and purity.
As always we have been out and about and taken pictures of single snowdrops, bunches of snowdrops and paths of snowdrops….. so here are a few all from the Severn Valley.
Actually it has been a very wet rainy day here in Shropshire and so to brighten the day, I am choosing some of my most recent “Yellow” photographs. Besides, this one should be bright and cheery, it is my 100th blog post! I always think that colours seem to change throughout the year and often become predominantly one whether this is due to nature or man-made. The daffodils have all but finished now but, these Narcissus have been brightening up my days this week from a neighbour’s garden.
Whilst in our own garden, the birds have been the most active on out feeder that I have seen for ages. They all look very smart in Spring I think. No doubt they will look a little more ruffled at the end of the breeding season.
Meanwhile, a little further afield and the first primroses are blooming in the woods and on the grass verges.
For miles around we can see bright yellow fields of rapeseed for oil.
The first Yellow Wagtails are arriving and looking around the hedgerows and you can spot the Yellow Hammers dive to the ground as you drive past.
Finally, for the house I bought some Yellow Chrysanthemums, it cheers it up whilst it is raining!
Have a great weekend!
The nature of April here in the UK is showers! Despite an earlier warm week and some area’s of the UK experiencing drought conditions, here in Shropshire April has been pretty much as it usually is. It heralds the return of many old friends which I delight in seeing again. After several months of catching a rare glimpse of a butterfly, lots of insects emerge, the sound of the Chiffchaff is heard on their return from Africa and the first Spring flowers appear like magic.
Wood Sorrel
Different birds seem to be arriving daily and this week, I saw my first Swallow.
Despite the showers we have been out and about watching and listening to the new arrivals. The butterflies arrived very early on the South Coast but here in the Midlands my first spot of Speckled Woods was actually a few days later than last year. On the same day I caught the first glimpse of a Brimstone and Orange Tip. I normally have to wait a while for my first image of an Orange tip, they fly at an incredible rate. However, down by the river on Sunday, one rested a while under cloudy skies.
A little patience waiting for the cloud to move over was rewarded:
A little further afield just into Staffordshire on Saturday and this was the first Green Veined White:
Almost on cue, I spotted the first glimpses of the Cuckoo flower or Ladies Smock which is a favourite of both of these butterflies. It always fascinates me how nature know the right time!
Meanwhile, we have a pair of Robins feeding each other in the garden. How I would love to get a picture. For such a feisty bird, they are so gentle with each other!
Purely Photography 