Buttercup

As we head towards the end of May, the fields are filled with Buttercups.

This morning's walk, took us through this field, enabling a closer look.

Through Mapperley and along the 'Donkey Walk', the meadows are also tinged with Buttercup yellow.

It's also time for the Ivy-leaved Toadflax to start showing its hand. This small clump was growing on the dam wall of Osborne's Pond a few days ago.

Among the grasses at the edges of the footpaths, Speedwells are producing lots of flower too. We used to know these as 'Birdseyes' when we were kids.

And of course, the Cow Parsley is still looking spectacular. Here, growing along Slack Lane beside more beautiful Buttercups.

Countryside colour

Our walk this morning, took us along Slack Lane and around Mapperley Reservoir, something we hadn't done for some weeks. Along Slack Lane, the views across to Shipley Hill, were dominated by  Buttercups.

This particular meadow is always filled with Buttercups at this time of year but a little sunshine always makes them look magnificent.

On to Mapperley Reservoir and we encountered a small family of Canada Geese - mum, dad and just one gosling.

Having just the one youngster, the parents were able to lavish all their attention on it as they picked their way through the emerging lily pads...

Never letting junior get too far away.

The pathways around the reservoir, were bordered with Red Campion.

Such a beautiful wild flower.

More Cow Parsley too, making a fantastic display of frothy white flowers.

Back at home, the Azalea in our back garden is looking almost unreal at the moment. I swear it would glow in the dark!

Quite lovely and magnificently over-the-top.

And to finish, a single Calendula flower, doing its best not to be outshone.

Off The Rails!

Malcolm and I had to have separate walks this morning (parcel collection expected), so to avoid the crowds on the main footpaths, I went slightly 'off-piste'. The Hawthorns are looking spectacular right now.

Although the flowers are gorgeous, the scent from them, might be something of an acquired taste!

This morning, as the sun warmed the trees, their heady perfume was filling the air.

Part of my walk, took me along a little-used footpath which was once occupied by one of the hundreds of local mineral railway lines. Some of the rails and infrastructure, can still be found in the undergrowth. Here for example...

Back home, a quick look at an old O. S. map, reveals that this line was once part of the Stanton and Shipley Mineral Railway. The red arrow, marks the exact spot.

Close to this path, the meadow of Pewit Carr is looking green and lush at the moment, just waiting for the Orchids to appear.

Dotted around the area, there are a few fabulous Broom bushes in flower too. Absolutely stunning!

Looking at those old maps, it still amazes me that this whole area was such a scene of industrial bedlam with canals, railways, cuttings, sidings, Ironworks and mines all over the place - and not that long ago either!

All White

Our daily walk took us across the fields and into Shipley Wood again. With the sun out and feeling very warm, we were treated to the sight and scent of drifts of white flowers. The Hawthorn of course, is spectacular...

These trees were growing beside a small pond at the edge of the wood.  In the sides of which can be found many large, worked blocks of stone. Finding these a few weeks ago, indicated that we were probably on the site of a large building of some sort, now long gone.

Looking at some old maps, it turns out that there was indeed a series of buildings here, known as Parkfield Farm. Still included on a map of 1951, the stones are now the only sign it was ever here at all.

At the edge of these fields, great swathes of Cow Parsley are in full flower.

Into the woods and although the Bluebells are still hanging on, they are now past their best and the Cow Parsley is taking over here too.

Always worth a closer look at these beautiful flowers.

V E Day Blossom

Some more fine weather over the last few days, has brought out another wave of tree blossom. The Blackthorn and Cherry trees have given way to Hawthorn...

with thousands of individual flowers contributing to a Spring spectacle.

Horse Chestnut trees are in full bloom right now also.

The classic 'candelabra' flower spikes are well worth taking a closer look at. From a distance, they can appear to be plain and white, but closer inspection reveals splashes of reds and yellows, enough to rival any other flower.

This particular specimen, was growing close to our path along the 'Donkey Walk' a couple of days ago and had some very convenient, low-hanging flowers.

Moving away from flowers for a moment, we were delighted to have a visitor to our garden a few days ago. This fabulous male Sparrowhawk turned up and stayed for several minutes on our fence.

Ever alert, he fixed his killer gaze on any small bird which dared to fly by. Bad news for most of the local bird life, but great for us, to see such a stunning bird in our back garden.

And it's V E Day today. 75 years since the end of the second World War and time to be thankful to those who gave so much, so that we have the opportunity to enjoy all of this countryside and wildlife. Time to remember those who went to fight - and didn't come back. Most of us will have stories of family members who gave everything. In my case, it was my paternal grandfather Tom Wear who was killed in action just a few weeks before the end of the war, on 23 February 1945, aged just 35.

New Month

Still in 'lockdown' for the time being, Malcolm and I have nevertheless, been able to get some nice walks, despite the weather turning a bit wetter and much cooler. The Bluebells are still looking fabulous in Shipley Woods.

When the sun shines on them, their Hyacinth-like fragrance is rather heady.

Yesterday, as we stood admiring them, an Orange-tip butterfly was busying himself amongst the flowers too.

Quite a little stunner!

Also in Shipley Woods, an old tree trunk was showing signs of fungal decay in a pretty spectacular way. The fungus in question being Laetiporus sulphureus or the Chicken-of-the-Woods, looking more like a large portion of scrambled egg!

This morning, as we did the 'farm walk', we passed a field with two large and very handsome Highland Bulls. One had his bum towards us, but the other at least was showing a good profile - and not one to be messed with!

Back home and it's time to re-fill the bird feeders again. As if the Sparrows were not emptying them fast enough, this little charmer has been helping himself too. No wonder the thing is always empty.

About six years ago, we were given an Amaryllis bulb for Christmas, from our good friend Jayne. Every year, it has flowered and increased in size and even produced several 'babies'. This year, it has surpassed itself, producing two flowering stems and NINE blooms in total. Even one of the 'babies' has produced a couple of flowers for the first time too. The gift which keeps on giving!