April 2021

2^nd - At long last, some fritillaries are making it worthwhile. Lovely shades of yellow and I still have not identified the last one!

2^nd - More yellow with the marsh marigolds; the pear tree is still alive and more yellow, this time with a contrasting red.

2^nd - Delicate hues and more yellow with the Oxlip. Do I see a fourth orchid breaking out?

2^nd - Cream or custard for the rhubarb? Leaping Salmon is doing very nicely thank you. The wisteria is alive - despite my best efforts.

2^nd - Nice colours under the front hedge while Funghi on the lawn suggest it is time to be mowed?

3^rd - The fritillaries are looking good while I not sure how the cowslip got to be this colour....

3^rd - The insects were enjoying heather in the sun.

5^th - What a difference over a couple of days! Now snow and below freezing - not sure the flora appreciate this change in temperature.

6^th - Another heavy frost - pond frozen - wonder how the frog spawn will do? The rhubarb did not like the frost....

9^th - Not sure that the frog spawn appreciated the recent frosty mornings - time will tell.

9^th - Bugle doing nicely thank you as are the forget-me-nots.

14^th - A very poor image of a redpoll but they are unusual enough in the garden to warrant inclusion. Mr. Tawny Owl on his way to roost in the hedge.

14^th - Hellebores looking great - the Lords and Ladies are doing well - daffodils are still in flower

14^th - Somewhere amongst the garlic there are roses and the colours can look great.

15^th - The fritillaries survived the frosts better than I expected. My "unknown" green leaves now have a bud - may even find out what it is soon!

15^th - Lot's of buds on the apple trees while the red makes a lovely splash of colour.

15^th - The warm days brought out some flies on the clematis while the bees were busy around the heather.

16^th - Turns out my "mystery flower" is a "Tulip tarda" or "small botanical tulip" - thanks G!

17^th - Robins trying to match the woodwork whilst collecting food.

20^th - Love the delicate colours from this time of year.

20^th - Northern marsh orchids have survived the recent frosts while the bees were back out on the heather.

21^st - Tawny Owl catching some late evening rays before going to work and feeding his Missus and brood.

21^st - Nice to see the tree sparrows quite often these days while the robin, blackbird and wood pigeons are regulars.

23^rd - Lovely colours on the bush while a clematis is flowering nicely. Hazel leaves looking good with back-lighting.

23^rd - The new pear tree is still showing signs of life while the rhubarb seems to have defeated the frosts.

25^th - Another clematis about to flower while the first blush of blue appears on the bluebells. Early signs of yellow rattle appearing.

25^th - Still daffodils and like flowering while the marsh marigolds are a deep yellow.

25^th - Some of the tadpoles have survived the frosts while Mrs. Tawny has a few moments respite.

26^th - A few moments on the edge of the nest box - she is happy leave the two owlets to squabble on their own.

28^th - A very early morning shot on the male. The clematis is flowering up while the cowslips look good. A northern marsh orchid without spots?

28^th - Some of the fritillaries are producing seed heads while others, in another part of the garden, are still flowering.

30^th - Lovely colours on the clematis while the Hostas are starting to come through. The primroses still look good.

30^th - Some pinkish forget-me-nots while the bluebells are beginning to flower and the first bud on "Dublin Bay".

30^th - Rhubarb is improving following the frosts - the wisteria is alive and the new "Leaping Salmon" rose is growing nicely.

30^th - Last day of April and the weather celebrates with hail.....while Mrs. Owl takes the fresh air and relaxes.