March 2007 :: 2 entries

In the pink!

The magnolia trees have come into bloom recently and are putting on a really lovely display. The soft pink tones of the flowers and the sap green shoots look beautiful against the clear blue sky.

In the woods Graham makes a discovery in the form of a curious plant flowering at the base of an Alder. A little investigation reveals it to be Toothwort, a parasitic plant with no green at all - no chlorophyll. There's a nice description of this plant and its habits on www.the-tree.org.uk.

Magnolia I

Magnolia I

Magnolia II

Magnolia II

Toothwort I

Toothwort I

Toothwort II

Toothwort II

Spring Again

Once again, the signs of spring abound, pussy willow against a blue sky and the first lambs have started to appear in the "big field". The woodland remains largely free of leaves though here and there you can make out a faint dusting of leaf colour. The Scots Pines certainly stand out from the crowd at this time of year.

The lack of leaves gives us a very clear view through the woodland where a carpet of bright green, new Ramson leaves covers the ground.

Lambs in the Big Field

Lambs in the Big Field

Pussy Willow

Pussy Willow

Lonesome (Scots) Pine

Lonesome (Scots) Pine

King's Wood Gate

King's Wood Gate

Ramson Leaves

Ramson Leaves