May we all find inspiration in our beautiful world, to protect and enhance biodiversity for the generations who come after us.
A little bit of photo creativity for Earth Day and Lens Artist Photo Challenge – Creativity
Achill Island, Co.Mayo, Ireland
An empty blackbird nest in the beech hedge in the garden, exposed now because winds have blown the brown leaves off before the new ones are ready to open. We suspect either eggs or chicks were predated.
blackbird nest
Gaiainaction has inspired me to write a post on spring and sense of place. All around spring is in full flow. Fruit blossom burst forth not just on the trees in the garden but also along the hedgerows that line our roads and divide the fields around us.
apple blossom
On the hedge banks primroses, my favourite spring flower, release their delicate scent.
Primroses
In the trees, blackbirds and pigeons are building nests. Robins are finding the highest branches to sing and proclaim their territories. In the sunshine of the afternoon, sleepy butterflies, recently woken from their winter hibernation drink thirstily from the nectaries of flowers.
Red Admiral on plum blossom
As I walk up the road there is a spring in my step. The grey, dark days of winter are finally over us. Each walk brings new highlights. The first bumblebees, the first violets. Whatever it is. These little gems cannot be seen from the inside of a car, so it is important to get out and walk. Experience nature. Immerse yourself in the sounds, scents and joys of it all. Go outside. See if you can find something different, something you have never noticed before.
Buff tailed bumblebee
April brings Spring flowers. I was interested to see differences between recent years. Here are wood sorrel flowers from mid April 2018. This year they have already been in flower for a couple of weeks.
Wood sorrel from 18th April 2018
This year I first photographed Lesser Celendine in flower at the end of January. Here it was in April 2015. It has a longish flower season and is in flower along some of our local hedgerows today.
Lesser celendine from the 10th April 2015
Fruit blossom is a real favourite of mine. Here are pear and June berry blossoms from the 20th April 2016. The June berry is covered in blossom already and the pear is just starting.
The crab apple is just coming out, and below is what is looked like on the 12th April 2017.
Crab apple blossom
And of course I cannot pass the opportunity to post a bumblebee photograph, as while March is when we first start seeing the queen’s emerge from hibernation (though it was February this year), April is the month that we start seeing the queen’s in any numbers. And it is so nice to have them back.
Forest Cuckoo Bumblebee
Inspired by this week’s Lens artist photo challenge – Hello April.
Magnolia
A very weathered and worn peacock butterfly spotted today feeding on wild cherry.
Peacock on wild cherry
