Get ready for April
Early-purple Orchid – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1613
Despite the endless rain of this March and the flooding across the Somerset Levels. We have been promised that spring is on its way.
Spring is may peoples favourite season as flowers and butterflies reappear after the long winter. The days become longer and warmer, and we still have the excitement of summer still to come.
Woodland Flowers
Before the leaves of the trees cut out the light flowers take their chance to bloom. Early-purple orchids, wood anemones, wood sorrel and of course bluebells can be found across Somerset.
Wood Anemones – Wattles Hill, Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5997
Wood sorrel are amazing covering the forest floor in places such as Stockhill Woods. They seem so fragile, but use chemical warfare to prevent other plants getting too close. Like many spring flowers their petals fold up at night keeping them safe and warm. Well, a bit safer and a bit warmer perhaps.
Wood Sorrel – Stockhill Woods, Priddy, Somerset, UK. ID JB_8179
Everyone’s favourite is the British bluebell. It is easy to understand why. Spanish bluebells were brought here to make gardens look pretty. But they have crossbred with the native flowers. So they are now protected so no digging them up!
Spring at Park Wood – Wells, Somerset, UK. ID 803_0537
Grassland and Meadows
From the almost exotic cowslips to the common dandelion yellow flowers cover county’s grasslands.
Cowslips – Yarley Hill, Nr Henton, Somerset, UK. ID JB_7782
People love bluebells but some also hate dandelions. This confuses me, why do we pick sides in this way? Few would want to spoil the look of their small patch of lawn but elsewhere do they cause any damage?
Dandelions – Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7886
Hillside Flowers
Somerset has its share of hills. No mountains, but lots of hills such as the Mendips, Quantocks and Exmoor. On their acid soils gorse provides an alternative. Favourite of so many insects such as bees and lady birds.
7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) – Deerleap, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3493
Hedgerow flowers
Greater Stitchwort bursts through hedgerows in pools of white flowers.
Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) – Templecombe, Somerset, UK. ID 804_3662
Farming
The open fields are not the natural home spring time flowers. Perhaps the bright yellow of oilseed rape provides the brightest alternative.
Yellow Power – Lansdown, Bath, Somerset, UK. ID 804_3170
Butterflies
Spring would not be spring without butterflies.
Speckled Wood – St Andrews, Curry Rivel, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3772
Speckled woods spiral up into the sky. Brimstones loop around the same woodland glades and hedgerows over and over again. Peacocks and red admirals pop out of hibernation anywhere to add a splash of colour.
Peacock (Inachis io) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_6795
And finally…
April would not be April without showers. Sometimes rain, but also hail..
Hail Storm on Deerleap – Somerset, UK. ID 807_1355
Frost…
Dandelion on a frosty morning – Wookey Hole, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5291
… and sometimes even snow.
Deerleap in winter – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JBA_8108
Sometimes all on the same day!
Lamb season – Model Farm, Wells, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_5067
For me this spring could be a busy time, but I hope to be posting again soon. And more importantly getting out into Somerset walking and cycling with my phone and camera. Something I love doing very much.
