Glorious

What a morning!  The sun was shining, the birds were singing and our walk along the site of the long-gone West Hallam Colliery was absolutely glorious.  Among the first things we noticed was the wonderful cherry blossom in the sun and against a blue sky.

Later, we got a closer look at a different cherry tree, growing on Shipley Hill.  Breathtakingly gorgeous and at it's best on a morning like this.

I have mentioned the small herd of Longhorn Cattle which live in a field in Mapperley Village on previous occasions.  But the appearance of a couple of calves looking sleepy as they lie next to their mothers, is just too good not to mention again.

Walking through the woods as we approached the village, there were one or two Lords-and-Ladies (Arum maculatum) plants just about ready to open their flowers.  A strange looking flower before it opens (and no less strange when it does), it was sticking up out of the ground like a pale green spike among the ivy leaves

I mentioned the birds singing and we were treated to the sounds of spring all around this morning.  We heard, among others, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Crows, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, Canada Geese, Mallards, Coots, Great-crested Grebes, Blackcaps, Green Woodpeckers, Wood Pigeons, etc, etc, etc...  A fine day for a walk!