Bramble flowers becoming blackberries

The brambles are in flower and already you can see the blackberries forming, although they are as yet hard, green and sour. 

 

People, birds, beetles and small mammals are all looking forward to the harvest of ripe black fruit, while the flies, hoverflies, butterflies, bumble bees and wasps are still busy pollinating the flowers as they feed on the nectar and pollen.

 

This year's long arching shoots will have leaves with 5-7 leaflets.  Next year they will produce side shoots with flowers and fruit.  These second-year shoots will have leaves with just 3-5 leaflets.  Another amazing fact!