If you have read last months nature page you will know that we looked at some of the flowers that were to be found in the wild at Greenheyes. our first image continues that theme but this plant is on a some what different scale to those mentioned last month.

This image shows the flowers of the mighty oak tree. Despite its vast size most people never notice it flowering.

There is a saying that "from tiny acorns mighty oak trees come" (poor quote I know). Well now you know where the acorns come from.

Continuing on the theme of flowers for a moment have you ever been out for a walk and suddenly a distinctly onion / garlicky smell has reached your nose? well this plant is probably the culprit.

It is called "Ramsons" but most people, around here anyway, call it wild garlic. It can form extensive carpets and when all the plants are in bloom the smell can be almost overpowering.

While not a flower the "Chicken of the Woods" fungi is very a spectacular bright yellow. Although this is considered by some to be an edible fungus it can cause stomach upsets in some people and so treat it with caution. (Warning - Before you pick and eat any fungi always obtain the opinion of an expert. I am not so please do not take these pages as a definitive guide. If you are in any way uncertain of your identification LEAVE IT ALONE).

As well as the flowers coming out it was also time to release from their winter confines of the cubical sheds the ladies of the farm - the cattle that is.

This photograph was taken at great personal risk to webby:-) as the cows ran down the cattle drive to get to the first fresh grass of the year

The risk was not due to the cows but to the electric fence that he forgot about while keeping out of the way of the cows.

It is always amusing to watch the cattle when they are first let out after the winter confines of the cubical shed.

They run about like a gang of school kids in a playground. This behavior does not last long however and they soon settle down to the serious business of eating the fresh grass.

Moving on down to the River Dane this "Heron" takes flight at a a sudden noise (yeah he had a bad case of wind:-)

This sizable bird is a natural fisherman and can be seen standing motionless on the banks of bodies of water (including your garden pond if it has fish in) waiting for an unwary fish to swim by.

Also on the river was this" Mute Swan" which unlike the timid heron, came swimming over to investigate who I was.

I find them to be quite an inquisitive bird and they will often swim over to get a closer look at you. I think that this is partially to determine whether or not you are a threat to it

This is a Big bird and when defending its territory or young it can be quite intimidating particularly to children.

On a much smaller scale take a closer look at the banks of the river.

If you look closely at the soil of the the river bank you may be able to spot small holes in it.

These are indicated in the photograph by the red arrows.

So what do you think made them?

If you take an even closer look you may be surprised to see a small pair of eyes staring back out at you.

There owners are a type of bee known as Miner Bees. These bees live as individuals rather than the colonies of the likes of the honey bee.

They are a very good natured bee and good pollinators. While they have a sting it is rarely able to penetrate human skin.

Talking of pollination and small pairs of eyes this next photograph shows a wasp covered in the pollen of a dandelion.

As with bees there are several species of wasp here in the uk. This one is smaller than the common wasp and I have yet to Identify it when I do I let you know.

For most a true sign of the return of the spring and summer seasons if the return of the butterflies.

This photograph is of an Orange Tip butterfly named for obvious reasons

 

 

Finally, have you ever looked closely at the morning dewdrops on plants

Our last photograph shows that you can find there is a whole new world inside them!!!

 

 

More next month PHIL

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