Well the weather has not been kind lately, a freezing strong wind yesterday has 'burnt' the newly emerging leaves in the garden, so I've been looking back in my photo archives to sunnier, warmer Spring days. I photographed this beautiful Spring star on this day in 2018. It was the first Wood Anemone flowering in an ancient woodland on a wildflower walk at Hartland Abbey. I focussed on the petals and pretty yellow stamens and I love the bokeh effect in the background.
Behind the scenes, the spirit lifting Blackthorn blossom is appearing now, the photo below was taken in March 2014. No finer sight than Blackthorn flowering in an ancient Devon hedgerow. It's dotted along field margins and you see it in the hedgerows, green lanes, either side of major and minor roads. Unlike Hawthorne it flowers before the leaves. It also appears as white speckles on coastal cliffsides and in ancient woodland. The black fruit (Sloe berries) are used traditionally to make Sloe Gin. It certainly lifts the spirit 😊
Blackthorn Blossom. Photo © Pat Adams North Devon Focus
Focus Nature Notes:
Back then I used the following equipment (both great little cameras at the time, easy, no fuss and light perfect for walking or travelling)
Blackthorn - NIKON 1 V1
Wood Anemone - Canon EOS M5
---------------------
"The Wood anemone is named after the Greek wind god, Anemos, who sent his namesakes, the anemones, in early spring to herald his coming. This legend gives the flower its other common name of 'Windflower'. " (Woodlandtrust.org)
-----–-------
All photos/articles copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)
