Wattles Hill

Cowslips - Wattles Hill, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5330

Cowslips – Wattles Hill, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5330

Cowslips on Wattles Hills in early April. Finding these flowers in beautiful low sunlight was the first hint that Wattles Hill was something special.

Wattles Hill

This unassuming low hill below the much higher Mendip Hills sits next to the small village of Wookey Hole.  This village in Somerset is famous for its caves in the limestone cliffs.

Wattles Hill - Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5105H

Wattles Hill – Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5105H

The approach to Wattles Hill is across a small field that provides views to the village and the tall Mendip TV mast.

Wookey Hole from Wattles Hill - Somerset, UK. ID JB_4909

Wookey Hole from Wattles Hill – Somerset, UK. ID JB_4909

It was very cold this April and frost still covered the fields well into the morning.  It is amazing how many corners of Somerset have a view of Glastonbury Tor.

Glastonbury Tor from Wattles Hill - Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5059

Glastonbury Tor from Wattles Hill – Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5059

There is a small lay-by near the start of the footpath that crosses in the field.  Dandelions had started to appear, but may have regretted doing so this early in the year.

Dandelion on a frosty morning - Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5291

Dandelion on a frosty morning – Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5291

As we moved through April the woods around the hill became carpeted in wood anemones.

Wood Anemones - Wattles Hill, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5952

Wood Anemones – Wattles Hill, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5952

Bluebells were also starting to make an appearance.

Wood Anemone - Wattles Hill, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6519

Wood Anemone – Wattles Hill, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6519

But for now it was the wood anemones were stealing the show.

Wood Anemones - Wattles Hill, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6093

Wood Anemones – Wattles Hill, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6093

This dock bug came out for a walk in a pool of spring sunshine.

Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus) - Wattles Hill, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6561

Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus) – Wattles Hill, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6561

As the month of May got closer the bluebells we beginning to take over.

Wattles Hill - Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6474

Wattles Hill – Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6474

Bluebells - Wattles Hills, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6144

Bluebells – Wattles Hills, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6144

Next it was the turn of wild garlic to cover the woodland floor.

Wattles Hill - Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_8977H

Wattles Hill – Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_8977H

This footpath has a small island of garlic and hawthorn.

Wild Garlic - Wattles Hill, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0370

Wild Garlic – Wattles Hill, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0370

Back in the field the dandelions have turned to seed, while buttercups and clover have their time in the sun.

Wattle Hill - Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1865

Wattle Hill – Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1865

And finally…

Around Wookey Hole you never know what could appear in a field nearby…

Velociraptor - Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6644

Velociraptor – Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6644

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