Wednesday 24 March 2021

The first chiffchaff of the year and the larch in bloom

 It's a lovely sunny day today! I walked through Colinton and Craiglockart dells along the Water of Leith earlier today. I heard the first chiffchaff of the year, which is always a great sign that Spring is really on its way! Also the larch trees are beautifully in bloom. At this time of year, if you pass a larch tree, make sure to take a close look to see these flowers

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While I was taking photos of the larch flowers, a pair of goldcrests (Britain's smallest bird) were hopping around in the tree. I stood still as soon as I saw them and they approached quite close. i didn't take their photo, as I didn't want to disturb them and I didn't think that any photo i took would be particularly good anyway!

6 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

Yes larch flowers are beautiful arent they?

Carruthers said...

I though I knew my larches (European, branch ends droop, Japanese, branch ends turn up?) but the flowers were a new one one me.

Caroline Gill said...

We had a favourite Larch in Wales, so it's lovely to be reminded of it! I haven't seen a Goldcrest for ages and ages ... such beautiful birds.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I am trying to re-learn the way I used to be when I first got interested in birds and didn’t even have a camera! Instead of feeling disappointed if I don’t get a picture. Kudos to you for already understanding that! And Happy Spring!

Jeff said...

Spring, the time for birds to sing! Lovely flower on this tree.

Crafty Green Poet said...

Weaver - they are indeed!

Carruthers - i was surprised when I first found them a few years ago, I'd overlooked them for years

Caroline - thanks and yes goldcrests are wonderful

Sallie - yes I would much rather just watch the bird than try to get a bad photo! I like taking photos of large, slow moving birds though

Jeff - yes the birds all sing at this time of year!