Busy at work today, I managed to head out just as the sun was dipping towards the hills. I was only out for an hour, but there was plenty of evidence that the Goddess of Spring was waving her wand over the countryside.
Edging round the corner of the first hedge, I spotted this little chap sunning himself.
As I stood watching, one of his fellows snuck out from the side of the hedge close by.
He was upwind and so didn’t smell me. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a wild rabbit that close before. He was so relaxed he even found time to do a bit of scratching!
Then he saw me and was off.
I strolled on and found myself under a mixed hedgerow of alder, beech, oak and sally willow (sallow). It was clear which was bursting with life the most. The alder and beech buds were almost as closed today…
…as they had been a fortnight ago.
The oak buds were still tight and brown…
..but the sally willow was festooned with a wonderful froth of pale lime-and-silver green catkins!
When only half-open, they look like miniature shuttle-cocks…
Fully open and they turn from silver-green to lemon-gold…
Some of them look like funky caterpillars wrapped around the branches…
Leaving the trees behind, I headed on over the fields. This old oak leaf caught my eye, its skeleton clear to see: a reminder that winter’s coat tails are still flapping in the wind.
In the pool where the frogspawn had sat in bloated lumps last week…
…blobs of dark, wriggling tadpoles now gather in the middle of translucent half-eaten spawn-sacks.
And the reflection of trees overhead are still bare…
Spring may not have reached its peak as yet, but the ivy berries are fat and full and show the promise of what’s to come.
Today is the Vernal Equinox, the day of “equal night” and with it comes that warm glow of knowing. Soon the migratory birds will return, bringing their exotic songs from afar. Wild flowers will nudge their way along the banks and ditches and the air will dance to the hum of bees and insects.
As if to prove that magic was in the air (not that I needed it), this fairy-cup caught my eye as I climbed over the final fence. Or is it a fairy-pipe?!
It’s nearly midnight now and I’m sleepy after a long and busy day, but I’m glad I took an hour away from the computer to enjoy the simple beauties of our world. For those of you who couldn’t or won’t be able to do the same, I hope this little glimpse of some of them may bring a smile of pleasure to your face 🙂
Happy Springtime, everyone!
Essi Tolling - Author 
Fantastic photos! Having all that within walking distance must be marvelous inspiration for you! The sally willow looks a lot like our ‘pussy willows’ with the soft grey tufts of fur. The Canada Geese are back, honking loudly overhead as though happy to be back to their spawning grounds. Maybe they’re just ‘twitterpated’! The robins are back, too. Looks like we’re getting spring, just like you, but unusually early. We’ve had some unseasonably warm weather, breaking a record high temperature on Monday of 24 degrees celsius! Normally there would still be a foot of snow, at least. I only hope Mother Nature isn’t playing a cruel joke on us and will suddenly bring on a spring snow storm. As always, it was lovely to see glimpses of what you saw on your walk. Thanks for sharing!
Sorry it’s taken a while to reply – I’ve been away a few days doing more book-signings and am just back at the helm! Sounds like your Spring is just like lots of others this year – MUCH warmer than usual. I hear it from friends all over the world. I think we can expect some more chilly weather here at some point. There’s an old saying: never trust a blackthorn summer – and the blackthorn is not even out yet! More to come on willows in a post I’ll write soon. There are lots of different sorts and I think that the Sallow is different from the Pussy Willow…will have to look it up! 🙂
Don’t worry about the slow reply. I completely understand! You’re right about the chilly weather. It’s already switched around & today is rainy and close to freezing. I always enjoy learning more about nature in your posts! Hope your book tour is still going well. 🙂
Such a great walk, thanks for sharing your magic with us Essi :)) ♥
You’re very welcome, Brigit. I’m glad a fellow Celt enjoyed it!
Just back from the evening walk with Esme the dog and Grant…We also saw Rabbits frolicking out in the fields ..The river had the customary Ducks,Can’t wait til the babies appear and we also saw the trees and Bushes that are sprouting their Buds….Lovely to sit at home with a coffee to read about your day..The photo’s are Beautiful Essi,you Capture the mood ❤ Now snuggled up,Supper is simmering and the ferrets all piled into a sleepy pile on the sofa ❤ Equinox Blessings
Belated Equinox Blessings to you too Saffron! Sounds as though you have some lovely walks nearby. There are several pairs of Mallards here…all of them busy laying their eggs just now!
thanks for the walk 🙂
we have had a few days of very warm weather here…actually it hit 90 in the sun here yesterday!
Wow! 90!! It’s been hot here, and in Wales over the weekend, but not quite 90 yet. We’ll be needing rain soon….but I must say it’s beautiful in the meantime. Butterflies are out in force already and the hedgerows are abuzz with insects! Equinox Blessings to you!
Since your posts about your walks bring Sunshine into my day, I have nominated you for the Sunshine Award. 🙂
Thank you! I’m sorry I haven’t gotten round to accepting it yet…I just haven’t found the time. Will see what I can do later this week, but just wanted to say I really appreciate the nomination!
Your welcome! You could always do what C. B. Wentworth is doing and just write a post about the sun/sunshine/sunbeams or whatever – when you have the time, of course!