Despite the cold north wind (the north wind doth blow, and we shall have snow......) the flowers in the hedgerows and fields are blooming one by one - the first new one that I saw today was the White Dead-Nettle, with its lovely pitcher-shaped flowers.
The work of the Coltsfoot flowers is nearly done, as most of them have turned to seed, to be blown by the winds. Below, there's a late bud alongside an early Dandelion.
And I was pleased to find the first of my favourite flower - the Forget-me-not, not in a garden but in a rough field. A cheery flower, lovely combination of colours and a great name.
Few birds around today, but I still clocked up Firecrest, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Peregrine, a pair of Kestrels, Black Redstart and - as I opened the back door - a cacophany of gulls, crows and jackdaws announced the passing of a large raptor with jesses hanging from its legs. It was like a buzzard with a broad white tail band - from the books I'd hazard a guess at a Rough-legged Buzzard. Like all the other birds today, it was gone before the camera was ready.Happy Easter to all.
4 comments:
Catching up here a little. These are beautiful pictures! The first flower is a stunner! I like your previous posts too with the mosses and birds.
What lovely flowers! I love that nettle one....very pretty! I've never seen it before. All were pretty, but I see why you like the Forget-me-nots. They do have both beautiful color and name. Nice post for Good Friday. Sorry about the missed buzzard...frustration for a bird watcher is a non-ready camera :-)
Steve are you sure the raptor wasn't a Harris's Hawk (American bird)? They're commonly kept and I know there are a couple on the loose in Kent. I don,t think Rough Legs are kept much, but I may be wrong.
Thanks for the comments!
Tony, thanks for the pointer to the Harris'. Having found a photo, I can see that it has a bright white band on the tail, so it could well have been one of those.
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