And here is the First Bumblebee!

 I knew when I left hy home this morning, that the addition of sunshine to mild temperatures would bring out the bumblebees, and when I went to the park cafe again, it as time to go looking again. 

My tea finished, I wandered over to the little grassy area where the crocuses grow, and today the crocuses that were empty on my post yesterday, had customers today. 

Two beautifully fresh queen buff tailed bumblebees were moving around the flowers, perhaps feeding for the first time since they woke up. I think this is always the species I see first in spring. 

Sadly, my shots ended up quite soft, so I'm giving you the best one today. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 22.02.26 

Honey Bees are up...

 But not close enough to get a photo of!

They were high up in a viburnum tree, in appreciable numbers, but none of them anywhere near close enough to photograph, cheeky blighters. 

That had me hope that with the milder and dryer weather, I might get a close up shot from the crocuses in Sconce Park, but cup in tea in hand as I wandered amongst the blooms, not a bee in sight. 

Sun is due tomorrow, so I'm hopeful I'll break my apid duck tomorrow. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 21.02.26 

Random Flowers from a Mainly Wet Weekend

 Hey all,

Got some nice walks and cafe stops in over the weekend, with rare sightings of a round yellow UFO in the sky. 

However, it has mostly rained, and as such, both the rivers Devon and Trent have burst their banks, and my beloved cricket ground is underwater again. 

It is springtime though, if not officially, so the damp ground has sprung forth with wildflowers for me to show you, as I do what I call my Tourette's walks around my town. 

Hope you are finding joy out there too. While staying dry! 

Si 

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 10.02.26 

Hopefully you all Love Aconite!

 I've been monitoring  - to use a massively overly scientific term - the aconite in Friary Gardens ever since the first little yellow bobbins appeared at the end of December, and they are now at their peak. 

Same as I do every year! 

They inhabit the old earthwork that formed the town's old boundary once upon a time, nestled under the trees. 

I believe they have some kind of church related nickname that escapes me at the moment; to me they are like little blond choristers in a green robe, especially before the flowers open up. 

Probably heretical to say it, but I like them more than snowdrops...there, you can stop following me now!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 03.02.26