Tags
bee hive, bee orchids, cornelian cherry, crocus, discs of ice, February, garden, hazel catkins, ice, ivy, Jelly Ear fungus, landscaping, lichens, moss, pond, scrub clearance, seedheads, snowdrops, Suffolk, tree surgery, Viburnum, wild cherry, willow, witch-hazel
We had a bright but chilly day recently, so I took the opportunity to photograph a few interesting things I saw on a stroll round our garden.
We have two wild cherry trees and I noticed the buds beginning to swell on this one.
There is a rough patch of land beyond our compost heaps, in-between us and one of our neighbours which has patches of snowdrops.
The catkins were blowing about in the strong breeze and I gave up trying to focus on them. The female flowers were just beginning to show as well but again, my camera wouldn’t take a clear picture of them.
As you might be able to see, there are any number of lichens growing on this tree trunk. I couldn’t get a clear shot of any of them so I copied the photograph above and then cropped it. The result wasn’t too bad though not good enough to identify the lichens. This was only a very small area of the original photo.
A few dead trees have been blown down in recent storms and I found this fungus growing on one of them.
This is the island where the Greylags have always nested. Last year the nest was abandoned after it was attacked by something. We had hoped that by clearing the island the geese would have better visibility and would have earlier warning of danger from otter or mink. They have usually visited by mid February but there has been no sign of them yet this year. After a very wet winter the pond has re-filled and the reeds that were threatening to take over have been swamped. They will survive under water so we will have to dig them out eventually if we wish to retain the pond as it is.
The pond had been frozen but the sun had melted most of the ice. Just these tiny discs of ice remained. Out of focus again, I’m afraid.
I was pleased to see the green rosettes of new leaves at the base of the old flower stalks.
Not many days before this photo was taken I had seen newts swimming in this pond. The water is cleaner here than in the other larger pond as there is no chemical run-off from the agricultural fields.
As are the crocus…..
This tree is awaiting the right time to plant it out into the garden – it is in a large pot. Meanwhile, it has decided to flower in a small way!
We have been told to expect some more cold weather during the next week or two so many of these flowers will suffer, no doubt.
I leave you with a favourite song from Enzo Enzo – ‘Juste Quelqu’un De Bien’.
Thanks for visiting!
Peter Klopp said:
I am impressed about the large number of beautiful things you discovered on your walk around the garden.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Peter.
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Elizabeth Melton Parsons said:
Love those yellow crocus, so beautiful.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you so much, Elizabeth. They have been so bright and cheerful!
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avian101 said:
Seems like you’re going to have many beautiful flowers Clare! 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
I think you’re right, HJ – thank you! 🙂
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Liz said:
What an endless source of pleasure your garden is, Clare. A lot of hard work, I’m sure, but with rich rewards. I’m sure I must have said this before, but I never tire of enjoying this time of year, with those early signs of the coming spring – such a wonderful sense of life and hope 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Liz 🙂
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margaret21 said:
Gosh. You live on a veritable Nature Reserve, Clare. Lovely.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Margaret.
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Rachel said:
A lovely post Clare. I really love your song choice. I haven’t heard it before and have immediately added it to my Spotify playlist.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Rachel 🙂
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reggie unthank said:
Uplifting to see the signs of spring. Saw the first blackthorn flower yesterday.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Reggie. That Blackthorn is early!
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susanpoozan said:
Excellent pictures of an interesting and beautiful garden, thanks for sharing.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Susan.
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bitaboutbritain said:
Simply lovely, Clare. You see so much that, frankly, I wouldn’t!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Mike!
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Jill Weatherholt said:
What a lovely walk. I love the little island in the pond…so happy it got a “haircut.” 🙂 We’ve had amazingly high temperatures lately, so everything is starting to bloom. Although I love the signs of spring, I know we’ve still got at least a month or more of chances for freezing temperatures…that makes me sad for the poor little buds who popped their head out early. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos, Clare! ❤
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Jill. Our weather has got very cold again and we have more snow and hard frosts forecast over the next week. Poor flowers!
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Jill Weatherholt said:
I’m sorry to hear this, Clare.
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Clare Pooley said:
Fortunately it is late in the season and won’t last long. 🙂
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derrickjknight said:
You made excellent use of the light
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Derrick!
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Anne Wheaton said:
It’s surprising what there is to find even in February. Your pond looks great.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Anne!
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Gallivanta said:
Lovely to see all the little signs of spring. I love viburnum for their scent.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Anne ! I quite agree!
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Jane Sturgeon said:
Thank you so much for sharing your walk Clare. I love your garden and the pond is magnificent (‘hats off’ to Richard’s clearing and hard work). You reminded me of a time gone by, when I used to make jams and jellies from hedgerow finds. I love visiting with you on your blog, it’s special. Much ❤ flowing to you lovely Clare. Hugs xXxx ❤ Xxxxxx
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Clare Pooley said:
You are so kind, dear Jane xx ❤ xx Richard is pleased with the work he has managed to do this winter, as he had to leave most of the heavy garden work last year because of his slipped disc and painful leg. Much love and lots of hugs for you, my dear friend xx
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KerryCan said:
You are so much further into spring than we are–it’s as if your post is a preview of coming attractions!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you, Kerry. Spring’s on hold for a week or two while we have some snow and hard frosts again!
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Laurie Graves said:
I’m with Kerry. Still winter in our neck of the woods, and taking a walk with you is so much fun. I really enjoyed seeing your signs of spring. That pond is lovely. Must be a pleasure year round. Finally, thanks for sharing the song. I’d never heard of it or the singer. A snappy way to start the day.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Laurie. I’m glad you like the song. I love French songs! The French do their own thing, which is so refreshing. Winter has returned here for a couple of weeks – poor flowers!
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Laurie Graves said:
And people think April is cruel. 😉
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Clare Pooley said:
😀
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quietsolopursuits said:
I hope that the geese return, as the pond makes a lovely setting for a nest. It sounds as though Richard is staying busy since he retired, keeping up with the chores of cleaning out the areas around the pond, which will make it even nicer this spring and summer. Loved seeing all the flowers that are blooming there already, especially the crocus and pink Viburnum flowers, sure signs of spring which I really appreciate at this time of year.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Jerry. I heard the geese fly overhead this morning so perhaps they will be back soon. Richard is pleased with what he has been able to do this winter. He couldn’t do much last year because of his slipped disc and felt very frustrated looking at all the scrub and brambles growing round the pond.
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Lisa G. said:
You have so many things blooming – how nice! And your little pond is very pretty – I know it’s hard work, keeping all the overgrowth at bay. I had not heard of jelly-ear fungus – it looks like leaves!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Lisa. I like the jelly ear fungus. It is the first time I have ever seen it but I recognised it immediately. After rain it really looks like a big rubbery ear! I photographed the ones in my garden after a few dry days and they had begun to shrivel and as you say, they look a lot like leaves.
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
It looks like spring has arrived there. You’re very lucky to have the ponds. I’m surprised that water lilies don’t try to grow in them.
Nice to see the wood ears. I rarely see them here.
Best of all were the flowers. It won’t be too much longer until we see them here I hope!
I hope the witch hazel is a fragrant one.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Allen. We have a return of very cold weather at present so the flowers aren’t looking too happy! We do get white water lily in the pond but at moment it is low down in the water and hasn’t started its spring growth yet.
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
It sounds like our weather found its way to you!
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Clare Pooley said:
Yes! As soon as the wind veers round to the east we know it will be cold and probably snowy. We have had showers of snow and sunshine, so lots of ice!
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tootlepedal said:
Your garden is looking good. It does seem as though we might have to wait a week or two to see any more signs of spring though. I hope that you don’t get too cold.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Tom. It is snowing tonight!
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Helen said:
You must have clean air to have lichen.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Helen. We don’t get the lovely lichen that grows in the west that really does need clean air but we do have a few of the pollution-tolerant ones!
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Helen said:
Oh, I didn’t know there were pollution-tolerant ones!
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Clare Pooley said:
Yes, quite a few I’m pleased to say. We are surrounded by fields which are sprayed regularly and when the wind is from the SW we get all the air pollution from London. I moved here from SE London/NW Kent in the late 80’s and the air was cleaner there than here. It still is, I am sure! Since moving here I have been diagnosed with asthma and countless allergies.
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Helen said:
That sounds appalling, Clare. Undoubtedly, though, there can be as much pollution in the countryside as the towns.
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Clare Pooley said:
It’s not good. Our local farmer is trying to be more aware of his impact on the environment but to make a living he can’t just give up all his chemical use straight away.
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Helen said:
No, it’s hard.
My hay fever disappears when I’m in my office at work – no pollen or farm chemicals exacerbating my lungs several storeys up and in the city.
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womanseyeview said:
So lovely of you to share your signs of spring – especially with those of us who have many weeks yet to go before ours appear. What a wonderful garden you have!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Carol. We have snow tonight and a few days of frost so spring is on hold for a while!
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Rachel Ball said:
Really enjoyed a walk around your garden.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Rachel.
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Ste J said:
Loving that island, such an isolated place to have a read in peace. It looks very peaceful and idyllic.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you so much, Ste J!
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Lavinia Ross said:
These are beautiful late winter scenes from your area, Clare! We finally got our first snow on February 18th, and have had once good 4″ snowfall and a number of dustings since then. It snowed again last night. All melts fairly quickly, as the ground is still warm.
I love the music! I have never heard this song or of the singer before, so this was a real treat. 🙂
All the best to you and your family. I hope your greylags come back to nest, and are successful this year.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Lavinia. We have had snow showers all day today. It is sticking on the grass and flowerbeds but not on the paths and driveway yet. If the showers continue as forecast, the paths should be covered overnight. I hope the greylags return this year. I heard them fly overhead the other morning but they haven’t landed here yet. I am pleased you like the music 🙂 All the best to you and yours too!
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quercuscommunity said:
Hope it all passes over quickly, though it seems like you are going to get the bad weather worse than we are.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you Simon. We haven’t bothered going out in the car today. 8 inches of snow, drifts and ice put us off. I’ll have to go out tomorrow to collect my mother’s medication for her 😦
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quercuscommunity said:
Eight inches! We’ve only had about an inch spread over two days, and a lot of that melted. And you know what I did on that. 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
I hate skidding! It doesn’t seem to matter how carefully I drive or how slow I am going, if there is ice there will be out-of-control cars and skidding is almost inevitable.
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quercuscommunity said:
😦
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Annika Perry said:
Clare, thank you for sharing the beauty of your garden … your photos are glorious both of the landscape and the minutiae of wildlife. Who knew fungus was so beautiful?! Ahh… I love the crocus in flower! Such a wonderful splash of bright colour and just what we need. I hoe you’re keeping safe and warm during this freeze! Xxxx
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you so much for your comment, Annika! We are fine though snow-drifts are preventing us from going too far and any deliveries getting to us. We have almost run out of gas even though we requested a fill-up over a week ago. I don’t relish going without my central heating and hot water! I hope you and your family are keeping safe and warm too. xxx
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Annika Perry said:
Blimey, I hope you get a delivery of gas!! I ca’t imagine being without the heating and hot water! I did hear British Gas is running out of stock … but will disconnect business first. It’s only been a few days of this cold! All safe and warm otherwise; hubby got some supplies at the local supermarket today.
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Clare Pooley said:
We have a smart meter on our gas tank but we didn’t want to leave it all to chance so my husband rang our gas suppliers early last week to ask for a delivery. He got a telling off from the receptionist who told him the delivery was on it’s way! I think she was being ‘economical with the truth’! I hope the roads can be cleared by tomorrow as I need to collect my medication from the surgery and we’ll probably need more milk by the weekend. Oh dear! 😀
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Resa said:
What a fabulous wonder wold you have here, Clare! I especially like the 5th photo down, the ivy leaves in front of the tree trunk. I thought it was a riche tapestry behind, but now I think it’s lichen! Thank you!
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Clare Pooley said:
My pleasure, Resa and thank you for your kind comments.
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Sheila said:
I love seeing the buds and blossoms and all the signs of Spring! We haven’t seen many signs of it yet around here, but now you’ve inspired me to go for a hike and look closer. I hadn’t heard of the Jelly Ear fungus – I love how they do look a bit like ears. I’ll be hoping for the Greylags to come back too. Thank you for such a beautiful walk around the garden. Happy Spring!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much, Sheila. We have temporarily lost Spring and found Winter again with snow and blizzards and lots of ice. I am hoping the snow will be gone again by the end of the weekend and we can look forward to warmer days. I hope you are keeping warm and well xx
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Sheila said:
I have a feeling that will be happening here soon too! There’s a storm on the way, but I love the rainy or snowy days for that chance for more reading. I hope you’ll stay warm and cozy until the Spring shines again.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Sheila xo
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Cynthia Reyes said:
Lovely, lovely, lovely! Blooms, water shots, ivy, moss and all. Thank you, Clare. I lvoe your posts — they provide ‘good company’.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you so much, dear Cynthia!
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M T McGuire said:
loving the witch hazel! Sound great shots there too.
Cheers
MTM
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank-you very much!
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Sheryl @ Flowery Prose said:
So lovely to see the spring awakenings in your garden! The crocus and the witch hazel are a sight for sore eyes…we’re expecting yet another round of snow this evening. Winter doesn’t seem to want to leave us….
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Clare Pooley said:
I hope your next bout of snow doesn’t last long, Sheryl. We have some more cold weather coming on Wednesday and it will stay cold over the Easter weekend. Sigh!
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mypeacockbooks said:
Some more lovely photographs. I’ve never heard of jelly ear fungus, what a strange name but looks appropriate for the way the fungus looks. I’m oddly fascinated by those pictures of the ice discs on the water. I’ve never looked closely at thawing ponds before. Amazing how beautiful nature is. 🙂
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Cat. The fungus did look like great big ears when it was at its best. Most of them have shrivelled away now. I had never seen discs of ice on a pond before. I know from reading posts from people who live in Canada, the USA and parts of Europe where it gets very cold during winter, that large discs form on moving water but our pond doesn’t move much at all so I don’t know how they got there. Nature is amazing!
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mypeacockbooks said:
Wow! Lucky you were able to photograph those discs then, I did wonder why I had never seen or heard about ice discs on ponds before 🙂
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