David

The blackthorn flowers in the last post came from the long hedge which separates the Barley Field from the Railway Walk in the Smestow Valley Nature Reserve. The hedge is so long that only an aerial photo could do it full justice. This is the lower section, perhaps half the entire length.

Blackthorn has been spectacular this year: it’s always impressive with a mass of tiny flowers on bushes before there are any signs of leaves appearing. The flowers are now beginning the process of turning into sloes.

Here the flowers were at their height, showing at their best on a sunny morning.

Tightly-wrapped sycamore bud. It was on the twig of a young tree, conveniently at eye level.

At the end of a maple twig, a flower bud beginning to open. I think that the smaller, still closed buds are leaves.

These violets were growing right by the path on the Smestow Valley railway Walk. What struck my was the varying shades of purple in their petals.

Peacock butterfly resting on slate chippings as it spreads its wings to warm in the midday sun.