Spring is on it's way.

[Kkimm]

I am longing for the Spring to come.

I did a walk along the banks of an estuary in a small town just around half an hour's drive from my home. It was cloudy at first as I set off feeling the wind on my face and the mud under my feet.

There was a large house with a beautiful big tree outside it's stone walls and under the tree was scattered with delicate mauve crocuses and winter aconites in bright yellow with beautifully patterned leaves in different shades of green. These are real signs that Spring is on it's way and I was glad of it.

The cottage gardens along the road had the beginnings of pale yellow primroses in the gardens and everywhere were little clumps of snowdrops in flower.

To my delight, where the stream runs out of the lake into the estuary, there were many waterbirds gathered to feed on seed and bread thrown by the local families out for a weekend walk.

Amongst the birds there was the rare sight of a pair of Pintail ducks ducks feeding very close to the shore. The male is boldly marked in black and white and the female has brown mottled plumage much like a female mallard. A boldly marked brown, black and white Canada goose sat on the grassy river bank and did not flee when I passed close by.

The little patches of blue in the sky brightened up the scene and raised my spirits as I headed back to the car for my picnic and hot cuppa after my energetic walk.

Kim

[DeeBee60]

Looks lovely. Glad you enjoyed your walk. And Yes, Spring isn't far away. I have Yellow Crocus up in Pots and spotted a few Snowdrops in the Lawn yesterday. ☺️

[Kkimm in reply to DeeBee60]

Thanks Dee, sounds beautiful, I don't have any if my miniature daffodils up yet but have spotted some primroses.

[DeeBee60 in reply to Kkimm]

Nice.

[Arymretep]

Beautiful, I’ve got loads of spring bulbs coming through, here’s some dwarf Iris, there are also dwarf daffs in there which haven’t come through yet

Dwarf Iris

[Kkimm in reply to Arymretep]

Lovely photo, I love dwarf irises. Thanks for your reply. I took a walk to a church and found these beautiful patches of snowdrops.

Snowdrops in a churchyard

[fauxartist]

New beginnings... it's as if the earth renews itself and sleeps for a while... then life begins again.

[Kkimm in reply to fauxartist]

Yes you are right. Thanks for your reply

[Kkimm]

Thanks for your great reply

[Midori]

Beautiful. you have a nicer estuary that I do, I'm Jealous!

Cheers Midori

[Kkimm in reply to Midori]

Thanks for your reply.This is my estuary in the South. My estuary in Wales is different again as there are mountains and forests. It's abit too recognisable for a post.

Your estuary is in Wales as well if I remember rightly. I do live my Welsh estuary, it is really beautiful. South Wales has some very beautiful scenery too.

[Midori in reply to Kkimm]

My estuary is good in parts, but with the two oil refineries is not pretty.

[Kkimm in reply to Midori]

I see what you mean industry can spoil a view and ofcourse is so damaging to the environment also. Perhaps we shall all be seeing windfarms instead eventually.We have these off the coast nearby in the South and I am quite happy to see these.

[Midori in reply to Kkimm]

My estuary's local wheeze is a Fusion plant, Safer than regular nuclear, as you cannot get a runaway reaction with Thorium.

Cheers, Midori

[Mrspjsmom]

I will have to wait awhile for spring. Probably the end of March at the earliest. But that's ok. Once it comes it seems like things change quickly.

[Kkimm in reply to Mrspjsmom]

I would love to see a photo or two once your Spring over there has sprung!!Scenery in the USA seems very exotic to me.

[Mrspjsmom in reply to Kkimm]

I will take some

[Kkimm in reply to Mrspjsmom]

Thanks,Will look forward to it.

This is a sight I am looking forward to seeing again. An open garden not far away with an absolutely beautiful water garden. I will visit when all the rhodendrons and azaleas are in flower and sit on this seat and look over the pond.

Kim

Wooden seat in a water garden with white wisteria in bloom over the seat canopy

[Mrspjsmom in reply to Kkimm]

It's beautiful

[Kkimm in reply to Mrspjsmom]

Yes it really is, I once went on a tour around the garden with the garden's creator and she told us about how it had started as many acres of mud and trees around 15 years ago. She was ill with ME the whole time and had several young children to care for also. She has now created many acres of the most spectacular woodland, open and water garden full of interest and colour during Spring, summer and autumn.She's very hands on also, not leaving everything to gardeners. I think she still has ME but is quite a bit improved now.

[Kkimm]

Hi katydidYes I agree, once February is over it is the start of Spring.

Thanks for your nice reply

Yellow aconites growing in a patch

[DeeBee60]

Sorry I've not been in touch.for a while. I have a nasty.virus called C Diff n. No. Me neither. But hopefully I,ll.. get well and send message,my friend..

[Kkimm in reply to DeeBee60]

I'm so sorry to hear you are not well Dee.I will send you a proper message later.

I wish you a really speedy recovery.

Will be thinking of you.

Kim

A scene in Oxford. Beautiful ancient building in gardens