May nature walk

Left to right- Cherry blossom- Whitebeam- Hawthorn

Seasonal delights
'May day, delightful day, bright colours play the vale along...'
T.W.Rolleston (ascribed to Fionn Mac Cumhaill)

Every May I still am awed by the unfurling delights of nature. Suddenly the the rich verdure comes alive with a different delight revealing itself wherever you step. This year the white blackthorn blossom punctuated by the silver and gold pussy willow has been stunning and now as I write this the blossom from the undisputed Queen of May -  the hawthorn is beginning to now take centre stage joined by the beautiful cherry blossom glistening along the country lane or hidden in the dense woods. The whitebeam announces its presence with its effervescent silvery white leaves giving the tree a look of a candelabrum. It  grows on dry chalky soils resisting drought  effectively. 

Left to right- Bluebells- Red campion- Wild garlic

As I enter the woods the familiar blue haze of bluebells makes a splendid statement and in wetter or shadier woods the wild garlic fills the wood with its invigorating scent. The woodland paths are lined with bright pink campions and patches of bugle stand to attention. Nearer to the woodland floor are woodland violets and wild strawberries.

Left to right- Bugle - Wood violets- Wild strawberry

A closer look in the grass reveals the plants named after storks and cranes due to their beak like seed pods.  I  find the hedgerow, round-leaved, dovesfoot, and shining cranesbill which is the only one with glossy rounded leaves. Patches of pink- purple flowers floating above twice- pinnate leaves draw the eye as the common storksbill greets me.

Left to right- Dovesfoot cranesbill- Common storksbill

Finally in the damp sward we find Lady's smock its spring blooms which give rise to associations with milkmaids, their smocks and to the Virgin Mary and nearby the germander speedwell referred to as bird’s eye mainly due to its distinctive white eye against its bright blue petals.  

Left to right- Lady's smock- Germander speedwell