Spring Flowers in Toft

The snowdrops are in full bloom in Toft Churchyard plus other spring flowers. 

Yearly Markers

Every year around March 21st, I record the flowers open in our garden to get a comparison with previous years. As everything is very advanced this year, I thought I would do one now. I will do it in a month's time to make the actual date comparisons.

Last Year Ann Miles Blog: Yearly Markers (pin-sharp.blogspot.com)

Annual Bluebell Walk

We visited Waresley wood on Monday to see how the Bluebells are doing this year. In one part of the wood they are fully out but there are other areas which will be at their best in a couple of weeks so another trip could be fitted in, hopefully in some kinder light. The bright sunshine gave difficult conditions but very enjoyable attempt!

Wildlife Garden Progress (7)

I manage my garden to help provide food and habitats for bees and other insects. Every few months I record the habitats and flowers so I can compare over the years. The Cowslips are just coming into full bloom in the front grassed area while the woodland area Primroses are still in bloom. I added some Grape hyacinths and Anemones around the trees for nectar feeders. The most popular plants with bees are Comfrey and Dandelions - conveniently seeded in various parts of the garden. The Kingcups around the pond attract various flies. In the shadier areas, there are Hedge garlic, Yellow archangel and Celandines while the main bed at the bottom of the garden is full of Red Campion and Foxgloves this year

Spring Flowers Closeup - Sexuality in the Primrose

All the years I have been photographing flowers, I was under the impression that Primroses were examples of  "unisexual" monoecious flowers where either the stamens or the carpels are missing in all the flowers in a clump.  Researching how the primrose ensures an even distribution of 'male' (pin-eyed plants) and 'female' (thrum-eyed plants), I discovered they are in fact bisexual but have different arrangements of the male and female parts - see diagram.

 Most of these are taken with a Fuji compact X100 V fitted with a X4 plus a X2.5 diopter close up lens in combination giving very close focus.