Friday 11 March 2011

Time Marches On

Taz among The Snowdrops

The month of February was mainly one of birdwatching, as nothing much stirred in the garden. Most of our plants are still dormant, and most of the garden sports the chaff of last year's blooms.

A Drift Of Snowdrops

Our first flowers are always Snowdrops - those sturdy, though fragile-looking, bulbs, which force their way through the soil each Spring, regardless of however fierce the weather may be.


Snowdrops

Just when we think the weather is improving, and we might get our hands in the earth again, the arrival of snow puts paid to any such notions. The past week has seen gales as fierce as any we have experienced over the recent Winter, with showers of sleet and snow.

Aconites

Joining the Snowdrops we have a small bank of Aconites which raise their heads skywards whenever we have a peep of sunshine. They, too, are a joy and delight and greet us like old friends.

Mixed Crocuses

Winter always seems so long, and Spring slow in coming each year; and, yet, the plants in the garden come to life at their alloted time, with everything in its season.

Hellebores

Our first Hellebores have just opened their heads. Later the deep-wine ones will carpet another area and colour an otherwise drab landscape.

Sparrowhawk

We continue to have visits from the Sparrowhawk. She is a large female who finds her favourite perches while keeping a watchful eye on the whereabouts of Taz, the Barn Cat. Whenever the latter appears, the Sparrowhawk swoops low over the field and is gone, as quickly as she appeared.
xxxxxxx

The short video this month, called - Taz Among The Snowdrops And A Sparrowhawk - was taken throughout February and the beginning of March. The music which accompanies it is taken from my CD of Bach's Aria From Goldberg Variations.

7 comments:

Barbara said...

Though you are miles away from here and living in another climate zone, we do now have the same slow awakening of our gardens. I love the tiny snowdrops and colorful crocus, our first spring heralds. It's an amazing time now to be able to discover something new popping up every day in the garden and I am happy that spring finally arrives. We had a long and cold winter and I am sure not all of my plants have survived it.
Let's enjoy Spring!
Barbara

~Sheila~ said...

It's amazing isn't it, how the first delicate looking Spring flowers emerge despite the terrible winter weather.
Ours are still far from blooming, but until then I shall enjoy yours!
hugs
xx

Chandramouli S said...

Oh, I long for those lovely blooms, which I can almost never have here. What a lovely sight they are - especially the snowdrops and crocuses!

Kathleen said...

Hello from a long lost reader! I don't seem to have as much time to blog hop anymore but I just spent some time catching up on your old posts. As always, Barleycorn looks so beautiful no matter the season. It's spring in Colorado too ~ I have the same blooms here tho not in the same wonderful numbers as you. I need to plant more bulbs this fall!
We did not have as many visits from hawks this year as in winters past. One that did visit, killed himself trying to fly thru the chicken wire fence. ugh. What a sad sight.
I hope you have some warm spring days ahead. I'm sure there will be tadpoles soon?

Unknown said...

Beautiful spring flowers, snowdrops are such a pretty spring flower and I love their name. Its great to see hawks even if they are hunters I love to watch them.

Web hosting companies in india said...

The climate is looking very cool and pleasant..And the flowers also looking very beautiful..Nice snow falling...

essay best said...

some very beautiful flowers and lilly. oh there is a pussy cat as well. looking back with some purpose. isn't? well, i checked all the photos and all are so pleasant and nice.