Buddy

On one afternoon walkabout I spotted a twig on the ground.
What caught my attention was the lichen.
It seemed a good subject for a photo so I took it home.



After a bit of focus stacking:



Once I had the twig in my hand the arrangement of buds seemed photogenic.

A bit more focus stacking later



They looked even more interesting close up, especially the colouring.
The twig was found under an old Ash tree but I don't think it came from that.
The best possibility I could find looking at scores of photos on t'internet was Oak.
As I am useless at identifying trees from buds I am probably way out.

This session the lighting was positioned at about 2 o'clock to give some shadow.

Buds a Bursting

Looking round the garden yesterday showed more evidence of nature's awakening. I was catching up on the gossip with my neighbour when I noticed the tiny flowers, no more than 3mm across, on the Corkscrew Hazel. Although the bush has been there for a few years I had never noticed the flowers before but it had been fairly well buried behind other plants which I had removed last Autumn.

Corkscrew Hazel - catkins opening - tiny red flowers
(All photos can be seen larger by clicking on them)



Also in evidence were some flower buds on the Salix Flamingo and leaf buds just opening on a dwarf standard rose.



Finally on a close inspection in the fruit cage I could see flower buds opening on an early fruiting Blueberry bush and signs that the Blackcurrant bushes were coming to life. The Blueberry bushes are grown in large tubs of lime free compost as there is a lot of chalk in this area of Lincolnshire. I am hoping they repeat last years bumper crop.



I just hope that they are not starting too early as temperatures are expected to fall again over the coming week with forecasts of frosty nights returning.