My Planter Crocuses

 My crocus planters needed a refresh, so back in October I bought some new bulbs, moved the planters to a windowsill where I thought they'd get more light, tucked the bulbs into bed, and waited to see what would happen. 

There were two varieties, dwarf ones and standard ones. and all was quiet in the planters until January, when they began to sprout and grow rapidly. 

They avoided the rat based fate on my allium bulbs - rat repellent is going to be bought to sort that furry four legged problem out - and have brought me a crop of gold, purple and white flowers. 

Sadly they've barely been open, because there's been so little sunlight to be had, especially in my little yard. And they've not attracted any pollinators either, because bees and bumbles haven't been flying in this dull weather. 

But I'm pleased anyway, to have brought a little colour to my concrete corner of the world, rat or no rat. 

Si 

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 10.03.26 

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 

Welcome to 2026, Everyone!

 I'm back in work, the year 2026 now appearing as my blog date, and I still haven't quite shaken off this wretched bloody cold that I feel like I've had for 6 weeks. Then to cap it all off, snow and ice arrive as I go back to work on my bicycle. 

Always a joyful experience that. 

What is rather more joyful, is the early appearance of some of our winter flowers. Just away from the Great Plain Tree of Friary Gardens, beautiful aconite has come into flower, little blonde choristers wearing their green choral robes up on what was once a medieval earthwork. 

In the cemetery, I even saw crocuses blooming in December, and even more shocking was the sight of a buff tailed bumblebee queen grazing noisily off mahonia next to the main road. 

I worry that spring will be over by the end of February at this rate! 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 07.01.26 

From Bumbles to Honeys

 As well as bumblebees, obviously the brighter weather has seen plenty of honey bees on the wing, with orange saddlebags full of crocus pollen!

This is my favourite time of the year. 

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 08.03.25

Bumblebees are Up!

 January was endless, February seemed endlessly grim. Not a lot to see anywhere as cold weather and grey skies seemed to set in for weeks on end. The early emergences of early January seemed to stall. 

The last few days however, have seen a return of actual springlike conditions; sunlight and a smidgen of warmth have returned. I feel like I have returned too, with more enjoyment in the outside once again as I seek to burn out the endless Tourette energy.

And at the same time, we have seen an explosion in light and colour. 

Today I wish to concentrate on one species. The better conditions have brought the the return of the big, busy and buzzy buff tailed bumblebee queens, that have been loving pollen bathing in the colourful crocus carpets we now have in the town's green spaces. 

Particularly impressive has been their beep buzzing noise they make when they lumber into the air after feeding, like an overladen World War 1 aircraft.

I hope you are enjoying seeing them on the wing too!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 04.03.25

New Emergences

 Having had a lovely family Christmas with the three of us - stepfather, sister, and myself, with the new year it is always exciting to anticipate the blooming of the first "spring" flowers.

Only, it has already happened!

As well as the snowdrops I've shown you, I've found aconite already in the Friary Gardens, and also crocuses in the cemetery.

Crocuses! In December!

I wonder if the anticipated freezing snap we are about to have will slow things down a bit, after all it was a very mild festive season, but I'm just pleased to see the colour for now, as the days begin to lengthen.

I hope you all had a very happy Christmas!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 02.01.2025

Behold the Crocus Carpet!

 For one week only, the cemetery crocus carpet made its glorious annual re-appearance, decorating the houses of the dead with luxurious splashes of purple and white, and giving a haven for early season pollinators.

They barely seem to last now, made even more ephemeral by the rain falling like an anvil on them just as they reach their peak, a modern day feature of local winters that results in a a chaos of savaged petals and broken stems after a few scant days of glory.

But while they are there, they are stunning.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 27.02.24