the field - may

 

The Field in May is full of buttercups...

 

and cows! Who have a lot of lush grass to eat.

The bank of the field has less buttercups and more pignuts which look absolutely gorgeous - so delicate and fine.

A damp bumble bee sheltering under a marsh thistle flower, which are just starting to bloom.

 

Red campion growing amongst brambles and ferns.

 

And yay! The elder is coming into flower. I need to get my cordial ingredients ready.

 

Baby conkers on the horse chestnut trees.

 

Ummm... how to get back home round those cows! Luckily they seem friendly.

The Field in January : February :  March : April

garden flowers with a new lens

 

 

 

 

I have taken the plunge and bought a new camera lens (a Tamron 17-50mm if you are into lenses!). Upon its arrival I went into the garden to put it through its paces. It was rather nice to play with, and I got a little carried away with the aperture settings! What do you think?

the hawthorn tree - may

 

This month it's all about flowers... the blossom on the hawthorn is just starting to open, now that all the leaves have unfurled. From a distance, the tree is looking quite different now.

 

  

 

  

The blossom of the 'May Tree' has strong associations with May Day celebrations and the old traditions of Beltane. People would decorate their homes with bunches of blossom and even wear it themselves. The significance of this would be to celebrate new life and the beginning of the growing season. See 'Queen of The May' for more on this.

 

My companions on this little trip to the hawthorn tree enjoyed sitting underneath it...

Growing in the grassland under the tree was Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Dandelion, Pignut, Buttercup, Creeping Cinquefoil.

Pignut

Creeping Cinquefoil

Meadow Buttercup

The hawthorn tree in  March : April

Joining in with Loose and Leafy's 'Tree Following Project' - do take a look at the other trees that are being carefully observed.

I am also 'following a tree' on the Christ Church Welshpool blog, where I'm looking at an old apple tree in the churchyard.

blue and green

 

The best blue and green combination - bluebells; beech leaves; bracken.