Hogs in the snow

What are these mysterious pom-poms?

Skeletons of hogweed  .  .  .  .

.  .  .  .  when the seeds have dropped  .  .  .  .

.  .  .  .  from summer flower heads

Seasonal transformation (near post 10)

Who would believe the transformation from February to March?

And from February to April?

Rosebay now and then (near post 14)

The seedheads of rosebay willow herb now in the snow .  .  .  . 

 .  .  .  .  .  and back in July

Snow to usher in February

A few pics from a morning walk round Filnore Woods today:

Two large ash trees either side of the main entrance

Trees small, medium and large

The open grassland

Looking across towards Thornbury from the viewpoint.

Dens

It seems to be the season for den building.  The poles we cut when coppicing just cry out to be made into something.

Some are still in the early stages

They can be formal and solidly framed

while this one is more roof than walls

My favourite currently is this spidery affair.

    

As long as no damage is done to living trees, I think this is a rather good, creative activity for younger visitors to the woods.

Frosted thistles

A frosty morning. 

As well as being spiky, these spear thistle leaf rosettes are covered in little hairs, 

which is why they catch so much frost.

And on this last image you can see the buds in the centre of the rosette.  

They are waiting for summer weather so that they can grow into tall flower stems.

The Day's Eye

The common daisy is a cheerful sign of life, amongst the first leaves on the new year's woodland floor.

It's name means 'day's eye'.  It closes at night and in dull weather when there is less chance of being pollinated by insects.  Keeping its powder dry.

When you can cover ten daisy flowers with one foot, you will know that spring has arrived.