Cowslip Road
Cowslips – Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6840
Shepton Mallet is often overshadowed by its more well known neighbours of Glastonbury and Wells. But earlier in the year it put on another fabulous display of snowdrops, and now it is the time for cowslips.
Cowslips (Primula veris) – Cannards Grave, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID 806_9971
Illuminated by the headlights, and brake lights, of passing cars thousands of yellow cowslips line the busy roads.
Cowslips – Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID JB_7079
The early spring morning light is like cream pouring down on the flowers.
Cowslips – Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID JB_7083
And finally…
An ant ventures up to the flower heads.
Cowslips – Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6878
I like that second image very much. Someone, presumably the Highways Authorities must have planted hundreds of thousands of cowslips along the A1(M) and A1 in Yorkshire up to Durham. I drove back south on Sunday and noticed the verges are now simply covered in yellow nodding heads, a real carpet of yellow. It’s a joy to see and a perfect example of managing a huge tract of [linear] land for wildlife – the insects will not mind the traffic, and no one has access there so wildlife is left alone.
Thanks for your comment. This second image is definitely may favourite also, probably because of the car headlamp lighting. This does seem to be great year for cowslips. I drove back to Somerset from Cambridge last week and the verges along the motorways were covered in cowslips. Jeff