It was a good weekend for walking, bird watching, photography and being in nature.
I took a lot of photos. Most have been discarded, but enough are worth sharing that I have split them into two groups, flora and fauna.
The pictures were either at the Wetland and Wildlife Trust reserve at Welney or at Kingfisher Bridge Nature Reserve. I am fortunate to have both so near my home.
I start here with flora. Fauna will follow later.
The wild roses are at their best:
Elder flowers are also glorious:
This blown up image shows just what com0olexity there is in something often thought of as little more than a weed:
I loved this poppy:
And the flag iris continue to be a delight
;
There is a threat, though:
Water is in massively short supply in East Anglia. We are almost bound to face a drought this summer.
Thgis is a really worrying shot at Weleny for the beginning of June. Things are only likely to get worse.
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[…] this second part of my posts on this weekend's photos, I turn to […]
To appreciate is to be human
I noted on Friday that (north Derbyshire at approx 300 meters above sea level) what looked liked fireweed was already out -there does not seem much else like it – maybe early bloom because of long dry and warm spell? – it certainly should not be out for another 3 or 4 weeks? Interestingly, when I looked it up, I found the following – ‘Rosebay willowherb is also known by the common name fireweed, due to its ability to quickly colonise burnt ground. During the Second World War it became known as bombweed, because it thrived in the ruins and rubble of bombsites’. I did not have a phone with me, so no photo, but it was above Lathkil Dale/Conksbury – on the grass verge of Newclose Lane.
Things are undoubtedly early – no doubt partly driven by drought stress – plants know they need to get on with seeding in that case.
I suspect I will be watering the vegetables tonight as they are showing signs of stress
Crikey! The landscape looks horribly dry. We’ve had some showers here in Liverpool, but husband is still watering the plants in pots most days to be on the safe side. We’re hoping that once dentist is over tomorrow that we’ll get to Wales later this week… Which probably means it’ll rain for weeks then! 😉
That poppy is glorious! We’ve tried to grow poppies in back garden, but either something ate them or they just don’t like our soil. Maybe we’ll try again next year! It’s good to have something to look forward to.
Go well!
Beautiful photos! It is sad that elder, Sambucus nigra is seen as a weed . It is considered as such an important medicinal plant with a long and ancient history. Near where we live in v rural Galicia there are many abandoned houses and even whole villages , and amongst them there are always elder bushes and trees, it was valuable then. Every year for maybe 50 years I have made elderflower syrup , which makes a refreshing summer drink . In my youth , I regularly made elderberry wine and elderberry jam . And apart from that it is beautiful in the garden , full of insects and the birds love the berries .
These is some (sort of under control) in my garden. I like it.
We were at Welney at the end of March and it was quite a shock to see your photo. I am hoping that you in the east of the country are benefiting from the regular and heavy rain we are now experiencing in the Midlands (a torrential downpour is underway as I write) and the scrapes and pools will be restored, but the impact of extreme dry then continuous rain on wildlife at this sensitive time of year needs to be understood.
Rain is badly needed….the ground is incredibly dry.
Sad to hope for it, but I do.