Late March Snow

We had quite an early covering of snow this morning to say farewell to March giving us two seasons in one for some pictures of blackthorn blossom and snow falling. The snow thawed and then refroze to give large crystals on the cowslips and other plants in the garden

Comberton Churchyard Bees and Flies

I have started another wildlife survey area for this year  - Comberton churchyard. It is a large area covering a wide range of habitats - thanks for the invite Teresa. Here is a set of some of the bees and flies encountered yesterday staring with Mrs and Mr Adrena fulva, a very attractive red and orange bee on the wing at the  moment. This is one of the very many mining bees that live in colonies in the grass or banks. The third image is another Adrena species A. nigroaenea followed by a Honey bee to show  the different leg structures. The Hairy-footed Flower bee is well named and is evidently on the wing at the moment with very loud buzzing. The visitor to the grape hyacinth is a bee-mimic, the Bee Fly, which lays its eggs in mining bee nests. Even more numerous in species and numbers yesterday were other  members of the diptera family including hoverflies and 'flesh' flies of various types. 

Using Legacy Telephoto Lens

 While clearing out the loft, we found an old 135 Takumar lens and so I decided to attach it with a suitable M42 mount to my Fuji. It is regarded as one of the best telephoto lenses and used at  f3.5 aperture gives lovely 'soft' images and muted colours. Perfect for a misty morning in the wood.

Toft Wood Spring Update

The trees and bushes are just beginning to come into leaf and bloom on my local walk around Toft wood and fields. The Blackthorn and Willow have been out for a couple of weeks and now the Ash and other trees and bushes are showing signs of life.

Hardwick Wood Spring flowers

The spring flowers are  well advanced in Hardwick Wood this year, including the Oxlips though the dry conditions mean they are pretty stunted.