Spring Markers 2023

Every year on March 20th I record what is in flower in the garden. It is a comparatively late spring this year in the garden with the Plum blossom and Japonica still in bud and no real sign of flowers on the Cowslips or bluebells. The primroses, however, are extra good. Here are the flowers that are in bloom

Insects Waking Up

 The warmer weather has brought out quite a few insects in our part of Cambridgeshire including a good number of Honey Bees but also the Buff-tailed and Tree Bumblebees, small Flower beetles, Ant, Ladybird and Sarcophaga fly.

Aconites and Other Spring Flowers Girton

It is several years since I walked around Girton College grounds so today I decided to explore the perimeter path and was rewarded with some impressive spring flowers - the aconites and snowdrops in full bloom while daffodils and crocuses are now opening. Very different to my first February in Cambridge where the grounds were frozen or under snow from Boxing Day till March 6th.

Snowdrops Madingley Hall

The snowdrops have all come out at once this year presumably as a result of the very cold spell giving way to the present milder weather. I took a legacy lens on a walk around the grounds and woods. I enjoyed playing with the very shallow depth of field at F1.8 and the beautiful soft backgrounds this produces, as well as stopped down to give more background detail. Even photographed a very small Garden Spider

Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch

Sunday started with clear skies and temperatures of minus 4 degrees so there was still ice around when we walked around Stanpit Marsh near Christchurch. Lovely large clumps of March Marigolds plus a few species of birds and even one hoverfly.