In the Park

In our nearest local park it's blossom time.  

Last year when we walked here the blossom trees had been ravaged by the wind and rain and browning petals were strewn across the paths, damp, sticky and clinging to the soles of our boots.

This morning the air was warm and dry and the trees sparkled in the gentle sunlight.

There were still lots of daffodils growing along the grass edges to the paths.
 

The bees were buzzing in the branches of the trees.  Standing under the overhanging blossom the noise was amazing. 

 

We wandered off the main paths into the woodland area.

 

A few bluebells were spotted but there were many more to come.

It was wonderful to spot some Wood Anemones.

One of my favourite Spring wildflowers.

Opposite the Wood Anemones was an area of Snakes Head Fritillaries.

Their drooping heads were dancing in the slight breeze.

On our way back to the main gates I noticed that some of the Rhododendrons were in flower.

Next week we'll go back to Hem Heath Woods where I took you in my last but one post to see if the bluebells are in flower.  Something I always look forward to.

Scenes from this Morning's Walk

This morning was cool but thankfully dryer than the last couple of days which have been far too wet and windy for walking.  The rain storms occasionally turned to hail storms, branches came off the trees.  The weather patterns seem all awry with Summer heat in May and April showers in June.

It was good to take a walk this morning after a couple of days inside.  I had a letter to post along the way.

Across Six Crowns wood and by Sammie's Pool.

 Over Fenpark and along the back lane towards Berryhill Fields.  We went the long way round this morning.

 Next door's dog was enjoying his walk and was eager to spend as much time as possible outside.  Every scent was investigated.

 Pony surrounded by Starlings

 It was damp underfoot but the air felt warm and dry. Robins were singing in the bushes and the elderflowers were out and scenting the air.

A notice from the Save Berryhill Fields campaign in support of the NHS and Careworks and a note about social distancing.  Someone had placed a painted stone on top of the post.

 As we joined the walk at Berryhill fields and made our way across them we saw two Skylarks, six Swallows and a wren as well as the usual Wood Pigeons, Crows and Starlings.

It was time to turn towards home.

It felt good to be out in the fresh air and also to have been out walking again.

Early Morning Walk

Yesterday we were up and out  fairly early in the morning and when we arrived at our usual place to take a walk we were the only people there.

It was so quiet and peaceful under the trees who'd have thought it was the first day of a bank holiday weekend. 

  The woodland birds were singing their little hearts out, pheasants called from nearby fields, buzzards mewled overhead and ducks on the nearby pond sounded as if they were laughing at a coarse joke or two.

 Everything was lush and green.

 Except where it was white.

Lovely dandelion clocks were everywhere all ready for the breeze to catch and distribute their seeds or fairies as we used to call them - in fact still do!

The towpath by the canal was glorious with its soft tones of green and white

 There were many other plants to spot as we walked.  Some of them I can easily identify others I can't without the aid of a reference book.  Where I'm not sure I've put a question mark in brackets.  Any help with identification will be gratefully received.

Yellow Dead Nettle - also Yellow Archangel - thank you Ragged Robin, Mrs Tiggywinkle and John Scurr.

At first I thought 'self heal' but it isn't like the 'self heal' in our garden so now I'm not sure.   Apparently this is called Bugle - thank you John Scurr.

 Wild rhubarb - there must be another name for this but I can't find it.  I assumed the tall flowers were part of the same plant but I'm not sure. I now know that this is butterbur thanks again to John, I think somewhere in the back of my mind I'd found this out before but had completely forgotten.

 Buttercups

 Clover

 Vetch

 Wood Avens

 White Dead Nettle

 Horse Tail 

 growing at the sides of the canal towpath it looks a
very ancient looking plant.

 Ash Keys

Hogweed (?)

Rhododendron

The heat of yesterday was cleared by a storm during the night, at one point loud rain and thunder woke me up.  It is cooler and breezier today and as I type this post the rain has started again.  At least the gardens will benefit from it.

Misty, frosty morning walk

Just a few photos from our misty, frosty morning walk around the lake at Trentham this morning.

It was minus two degrees as we parked and the mist descended as we rounded the lake until you couldn't see the other side.  Below are just a few photos of things that caught my eye as we meandered along the paths.

The wonderful wild flower beds from the summer

 now looking beautiful covered in frost.

 By the very busy lakeside cafe the blue tits fed on the feeders mostly noticed by the crowd.

The mist was beginning to descend

 The opposite side of the lake was fast disappearing to sight

 We spotted the pair of black swans on the island in the middle of the lake.

 They swam over close to where we were walking and one of them ventured out of the water.

 There were lots of swans, geese, coots and mallards on the water

 We also saw one female Mandarin duck hiding at the edges of the water.  Not in the photo above though; they are a row of this year's cygnets rapidly turning into swans.

Old tree branches had turned silvery with frost.

 There were primroses too!  So early I don't think they will survive the frost.

 Everywhere was looking so wintry

 and very seasonal too.

Brr...time to return to the warmth of home.