Return of the Swallows, Bluebells and Blossom.

Enjoyed a relaxing weekend watching the natural world as it stirs from a cold winter. A refreshing walk on the beach at Wesward Ho! on Saturday revealed no wrecks but three huge jellyfish on the strandline. Portugeuse Man of War, I think - still waiting for confirmation from the Marine Conservation Society.

The 23^rd April marked the arrival of the Swallows or the advanced party as I like to call it. One lone Swallow swooping low across the field as though it was celebrating St. George’s Day. 

Two devoted Goldfinches are singing to each other and flitting across the garden and yesterday they were nest building stealing away the new leaves from the Willow. I like to think they are our regular visitors. Last year their tiny nest was located precariously atop the twisted Russian Vine, I am hoping to photograph them in the Apple Blossom so watch this space. Another vibrant visitor pecking at the blossom was a male Bullfinch followed by his much duller mate. The Doves are cooing in the Willow and the Wood Pigeons are cooing in the Spruce so all is well with the world once again. 

In my local ancient woodland the first of the Bluebells are up and uncurling together with the first of the flowering Ramsons. Cow Parsley, Alexanders, Early Purple Orchid, Red Campion, Greater Stitchwort, Dog Violet and Speedwell are sparse but more are to come and there are traces of colour from the new leaves on the old trees. It is so sheltered in this wooded valley that the ferns have been prevalent all through the winter, but new fronds are now unfurling and form a vivid green backdrop to the Bluebells.

Though slightly more formal, another sheltered location is RHS Garden Rosemoor. We joined the RHS last year, money well spent as it has enabled us to photograph Rosemoor in all its glory through the Seasons.  On our visit on Sunday we took several shots of the Apple and Cherry Blossom and Rhododendrons. The Tulips were big bright and beautiful  at the entrance and the RHS National Rhododendron Competition was running in the newly built Exhibition Centre. This National Show has over 60 classes covering all types of Rhododendrons, as well as trade and advice stands plus magnificent displays of Magnolias and Camellias too. The Rosemoor Exhibition Centre will be officially opened soon.

 FOOTNOTE

The old bridge by the pink Cottage at Peppercombe has had a bit of a battering over the past couple of years. Holidaymakers staying at the cottages, associated service vehicles who knows, it used to be traffic-free here. I don’t normally vent but stupid, inconsiderate drivers are ruining some of Devon’s historic bridges. Huge 4x4’s amongst other non-country road friendly vehicles are continually clipping the ancient stones causing structural damage. SLOW DOWN PLEASE. These bridges are in most cases “Listed” by English Heritage. Some years ago we volunteered for the Images of England project, photographing listed buildings throughout Devon

Images of England is a ‘point in time’ photographic library of England’s listed buildings, recorded at the turn of the 21st century. You can view over 300,000 images of England’s built heritage from lamp posts to lavatories, phone boxes to toll booths, mile stones to gravestones, as well as thousands of bridges, historic houses and churches. http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/default.aspx