Up in the woods it's bluebell time again and their attractive purple haze is spread lightly across the warming hillsides. These are common bluebells and are the older and native species of flower, differing from the Spanish bluebell which is now often found in gardens in the UK. The common bluebell has a deeper colour than the Spanish variety.
Bluebells are used as an indicator of ancient woodland and have been around here since the ice retreated about 12,000 years ago. Also out at the moment are the Ransoms, a form of wild garlic with an attractive smell and nice white flowers. These are similar to the three cornered leeks which like the ransom are also edible. The bulbs can be smoked and eaten, that is smoked like a fish rather than in a pipe, although I haven't tried smoking them in a pipe yet.
The first couple of photos show the bluebells as they were just coming out a couple of weeks ago and most of the rest were taken yesterday, which is a lot more up to the minute than I can usually manage.
It has been a long cold winter and it is good to be able to spend more time pottering through the woods enjoying these signs of returning growth. Nature gets on with her business seemingly unhindered by the increasing foolishness of man. I think she will sort things out in the long run, somehow, although we are not really helping her much as a species at the moment.
10 comments:
hello Iam from syria I like your photos so match they are very beautifull if you have time look at my paintings . thank you
Choukran evat. I will go and have a look at your paintings. I am very glad you enjoy my photos. Thanks again.
Spring is a lot like falling in love. And humans must be the imperfection to Nature's perfection, evil put here to balance the abundance of good. Some of us have overridden the evil trait, perhaps genetically by now, but most have not and never will. We have some species here John that remind me of the Bluebells' longevity. The beautiful Flannelbush is a hardy species that survived the Pleistocene, possibly because (I know from trying to keep it alive at 5,000 ft.) it requires a much higher altitude, above 5,000 ft., to thrive and may have escaped the errant waves washing in from the Pacific for just that reason... maybe. I'm always impressed with survivors. Two years ago a nearby mountain burned, but the Flannel Bush is back now, blooming and sturdy as always. Interestingly, the fire actually died out at the Flannelbush treeline damaging well over 4/5ths its spread. Probably a coincidence. I flash a victory sign every time passing it anyway. I would do the same for the Bluebells. Wonderful photos as always. Thanks.
Hi Nina and thanks for that. It is always interesting for me to hear what species people have around them and I like to find out which ones are considered natives. The Flannelbush has lovely looking flowers and also looks a bit tough, so a good survivor.
I laughed at the 'spring is a lot like falling in love' as you describes the situation exactly. The trees and flowers are so new and fresh here at the moment, it really looks reborn and delighted with it. Flowers are appearing almost overnight and the gardens fill out so quick, the empty earth suddenly covering, it's almost dizzying.
Well, off and outwards for me; I'm off for a long walk today. Thanks again Nina.
Nice again John. The flowers haven't much come out here yet as we have had a rather slow wet and cool spring with 8" of rain last week, However now the temps are in the high 30's c so it won't be long now.
Around here the Deer doe's have all thrown their fawns, mostly twins this year but quite a few triplets as well and it's a wonderful site to see. I've been busy getting the yard and flower beds ready for the summer as well as taking care of an orphaned fawn whose mother was hit by a car some weeks ago. We've named her "Mist" and she is and will continue to be a welcome member of the extended family here at Swallow Central.
Chased what is left of the Buffalo herd own into the valley last week so they are out of my hair for the summer at least and thats a welcome relief so now it's just a matter of waiting for the lakes to warm up and go sailing for the summer.
Have a good one fella and keep the pictures coming. Ta Ta for now.
Hi john thank you for your comment .but i winder if you like the other painting ? I will be happy if you follow my blog . thank you again .
Cheers Silverfish.
It sounds like it got hot there suddenly. Spring seemed to happen rapidly here when it finally got going and now everything is wearing a lovely new suit. Green seems to fashionable, worn with scattered flowers like many coloured stars.
You do good work there looking after the animals, it is lucky they have you around to take care of them. I should imagine that a herd of buffalo would take a bit of shoo-ing.
Sailing time coming again soon eh? That sound marvellous. Keep your ropes tidy and good luck teaching the young'un. Do you get to wear the Captains hat and shout at the crew a bit?
If I don't hear from you before you go, I hope you have a good summer Silverfish, and all.
Cheers Evat.
I'll pop by and sign myself up as a follower if you like and then I'll be able to see your work as it goes up.
Summer is here, so I don't spend as much time on the computer as in the other seasons when it is dark most of the time, but I will stop by yours when I get the time. Cheers for now.
i like your work. you seem to bring out something really consistent of yourself out in the pictures. i will follow, so to know what that consistency consists of.
ps. the third picture is inches from being absolutely amazing.
Cheers P2P and thank you very much. I have been reading and enjoying your blog lately after it being to me recommended by nobody, it is interesting.
I am not always sure what my consistency consists of but I hope that it will remain consistant.
Cheers for now and thanks again, it is nice to hear from you P2P.
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