Chionodoxa - Glory of the Snow

At the top of the Massney Braes in Lundin Links there are bright blue patches of Chionodoxa. It is not a native plant but has naturalised in this spot. In Greek chion means snow and doxa means glory. It is an alpine that comes into flower as the snows melt in the mountains of Turkey, Crete and Cyprus.

Yellowhammer and Yellow Daffodils

Male Yellowhammer

There was a flash of yellow as this male yellowhammer flitted amongst the trees in the Serpentine Walk. After the snowdrops and crocuses yellow seems the predominant colour of the Spring. Daffodils are now flowering in profusion. This was a bright patch on the bank in the disused railway track. Celendines, primroses and forsythia are also coming into flower.

Daffodils on the bank.

Moss and Liverwort Invaders

Species of moss and lichen growing in a flowerpot that had been left out in the garden over the winter. I think that the feathery moss is probably Common Hair Cap (Polytrichum commune) and that the liverwort is the Crescent-cup (Lunularia cruciata) which is often found in greenhouses and flowerpots.

Horse Chestnut - Sticky Buds

Sticky buds are forming on the horse chestnut trees Aesculus hippocastanum. Although it was a long time ago, I remember that one of my first science lessons at secondary school was drawing the sticky buds then putting them in water and watching the buds gradually unfold. The sticky sap may protect the buds from insect damage.

Close-up showing the horseshoe shaped leaf scar. It's possible that this may be how the tree got its name.

Finally, The First Daffodil

The first daffodil in our garden to be fully out. Last year the first one was in flower on the 19th February so exactly four weeks behind this year. However, lots of bulbs now coming in to flower, so probably things will soon catch up.

Other bulbs in flower are snowdrops, aconites, crocus, and scilla

More Fungi on Rotting Wood

Stump Puffball Fungi - Lycoperdon pyriforme

I'm fairly certain of the identification of this fungi growing on a pile of logs in Keil's Den, as this is the only puffball that grows on rotting wood. The openings that can be seen are for spore release.

Woodwart - Hypoxylon sp.

Think this is probably beech woodwart -hypoxylon fragiforme -growing in the Serpentine Walk, although hazel and alder are also present. Lichen is also present on the log.

Robinson Crusoe and Footprints

Statue of Robinson Crusoe in Lower Largo. A new addition has been added at the side of the statue - a plaque with a footprint. Man Friday's perhaps. These footprints seem to be appearing all over Lower Largo.

A close-up of the footprint.

Snowdrops and Snowflakes

Snowflakes - Leucojum vernum

There are many clumps of snowdrops single and double along the verges in the Serpentine Walk. However, there was just one clump of the spring snowflake. They look very similar to the snowdrops but their petals are all the same length, while the snowdrops have three long and three short petals. The leaves of the snowflake are also much glossier and a brighter green.

Snowdrops - Galanthus species -along the verge in the Serpentine Walk. It's amazing how these delicate flowers push up through such rough ground.

Hazel - Catkin and Flower

Male catkin of the hazel tree. Can just see the red female flower at the top.

Close-up of the female flower with the red styles and stigmas.

Dumbarnie Links

The winter lochans at Dumbarnie Links are now quite extensive, presumably because of the melt water from Largo Law, which can be seen in the background in the picture below. There is flooding of some of the footpaths through the site. The Coastal Path Sign has become marooned.

Winter Lochans, Dumbarnie Links

Sunset over Lundin Links

A nice sunset over Lundin Links tonight, taken from the Lundin Ladies Golf Course.

Promise of Spring

Early Spring Bulbs ( Click to enlarge)

Just opposite the War Memorial in Upper Largo there is a wooded area where there are clumps of snowdrops (single and double), aconites, and pale purple crocuses. After this long cold Winter, it's good to see the first signs of Spring.

Berwick Law

Looking across Largo Bay to Berwick Law with snow on the hills behind. It was a beautiful day today, cold and crisp but with bright sunshine. It's not that often that it's so clear. If you click the picture to see larger image you can see the wind turbines on the far hills and the town of North Berwick nestling at the foot of the Law.