Bees and Trees

Things are warming up again. After several days of very chilly weather, we seem to be heading into Spring again.

Our walk this morning, took us through Mapperley village, around the reservoir and back through Mapperley wood. Around the reservoir, the trees are beginning to open their leaves as Bluebells open the first of their flowers and this beautiful clump of Primroses looked gorgeous.

Through Mapperley wood, the fresh green of new growth is a welcome sight after the winter and heralds the coming onslaught of Bluebells. It shouldn't be too long before they become the main attraction through here.

I have added a new 'tick' to my life lists this week. There are more than 250 different species of Bee in Britain and this was a new one to me. May I introduce, the Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva). Usually a solitary bee, it will sometimes form small colonies and makes its nest in a vertical hole in the ground - hence the name!

The Willow trees are looking particularly good at the moment too. Their strange-looking flowers are easily overlooked, but reward closer inspection.

Bright yellow pollen gets all over you camera lens if you get too close!

Finally, as Malcolm reminded me, it's a special someone's birthday today. So happy birthday to....

Muttley!