Red Clover, Trifolium pratenseAfter such a wet summer and cold winter, I feel rather depressed sometimes because the weather is still too cold most days, to get out onto the road. Simply because it feels even more colder when you're sitting still. And hanging about taking photos, doesn't help either! Looking through my spring photos of last year, is the one way of thinking positively about those lovely warming days of spring. What will come up first? Lesser Celendine? Common Dog Violet?
You know, when people ask others what (wild) flower reminds you of spring? they always say Bluebell. But Bluebells only start flowering in March/April. I have recorded many beautiful wild Flowers by then. Like those mentioned above! Others, which will appear soon are various Ferns.
I will do another post on Ferns, later on, because I have always been madly in love with these plants. As you can see below (2nd picture) green-veined Butterflies like Ferns too. This was taken in summer, obviously. Ferns are evergreen, but in early spring they sprout new fronds (toothed leaves) with spores. (their version of seeds)
I love the way they uncurl.
On a Dutch website I was reading that they are expecting plants and flowers to appear much later than 2008 or 2009. In some cases perhaps as much as 38 days later, as a result of a bad summer and severe winter in 2009. Could this mean that I have to wait this much longer for my spring flowers too? I hope not!
Anyway, here is what I am expecting of spring. Besides, I now have my macro lens, which would make the photography of my favourite flowers even more exciting than in the past few years. and that of bugs too, of course, as long as they cooperate, of course.
One of the first to appear, the Common Dog Violet, Viola rivianana
also an early one, Lesser Celendine, Ranunculus ficaria
although a member of the Buttercup family, it grows in clumps, rather than plants with long single flower stalks.
The Clovers are real favourites of me. The white one has a gorgeous scent too. I have both Clovers growing in my garden and they are great for photography, I think.
A very early one in flower, and an unpredictable too, is Gorse. It is growing all over 'round here.
The Gorse, Ulex europaeus
if you are a homebrewer; white wine of Gorse flowers is absolutely beautiful!
Woodsorrel, Oxalis acetosella, will open up in and around March, although it will only fully flower in June.
In April I wwas able to photograph interesting growths like these:
Photograph: Glengarriff Wood.
In April:
When I might spot this lovely Scarlet Pimpernel, Anagallis arvensis, sometime, and if I don't, I might still see it over late summer.
And Ribwort Plantain too(pictured at the top)
In May you might come upon:
if you are a homebrewer; white wine of Gorse flowers is absolutely beautiful!Woodsorrel, Oxalis acetosella, will open up in and around March, although it will only fully flower in June.
In April I wwas able to photograph interesting growths like these:
Photograph: Glengarriff Wood. 
In April:
When I might spot this lovely Scarlet Pimpernel, Anagallis arvensis, sometime, and if I don't, I might still see it over late summer.
And Ribwort Plantain too(pictured at the top)
In May you might come upon:
No spring would be complete without the appearance of our Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta
and for a little taste of Garlic while out on a walk, or a ride, take a nip of one of these flowers, Alium triquetrum. Do not dig up any of the bulbs though.
And then in May:
Ragged Robin, Lychnis flos-cuculi
Dog Rose, Rosa canina
Yellow Flag Iris, Iris pseudacoris
Someone told me today: "Spring will come sometime..
And then in May:
Ragged Robin, Lychnis flos-cuculi
Dog Rose, Rosa canina
Yellow Flag Iris, Iris pseudacoris
Someone told me today: "Spring will come sometime..
