Butterbur
In two months time you won’t be able to walk down this path – you’ll have to hack your way through with a machete. In March however, the nectar of newly emerging Butterbur flowers is a life-support system for early bees.
Bonus Fact: The name Butterbur derives from the large, heart-shaped mature leaves that were used to wrap butter in the past.
Butterbur, Petasites hybridus.
Interesting email conversation today with the County Recorder about the exact composition of badger faeces in a latrine pit following heavy rainfall, and how this changes when they are mixed with dog faeces. It’s not all glamour you know.
HDR Primrose
I’m pretty happy with my focus stacking efforts now – it doesn’t always work but that’s the nature of the beast. HDR remains an elusive mystery to me. It must be time to register at the University of YouTube again…
Catkins – take a closer look
Hazel catkins (Corylus avellana)
Nikon D5200 Nikkor 18-55mm f8 55mm 1/250 ISO 180
It’s been nice to see some sunshine over the last few days, a much needed reminder of the coming spring. Hazel is monoecious, meaning that both male and female flowers are found on the same tree, although hazel flowers must be pollinated by pollen from other hazel trees. The yellow male catkins appear before the leaves in February. Let’s take a closer look at these dangly male genitalia (you need a macro lens to make much of the separate tiny female flowers):
Closer still:
Peak Snowdrop
A very pleasant short lunchtime walk. Long tailed tits, goldfinches, a yaffle. And very pleasant warm sunshine. It’s Peak Snowdrop – get out there and shoot them while they’re here.
iPhone 5S ƒ2.2 4.2mm 1/1642 ISO 40
Sprung?
Personally, I’m not convinced, but the birds seem pretty interested in mating, so judge for yourself.
Sony DSC-HX20V ƒ3.5 7.5 mm 1/320 ISO 100
AJC Photography 