The sap is rising

Winter is, of course, a wonderful time of year for seeing the shapes of trees. As we get past the solstice, the bare branches seem to take on a coloured sheen. The trees in Lime Tree Avenue acquire a ruby glow while the tall birch trees in the garden take on a rather regal purple. Look closer and you will see fat buds and tightly packed catkins packed with the promise of spring.

Lime tree bud - like a ruby amongst the dark branches.

In the garden, winter jasmine, witch hazel, snowdrops and primroses are giving us much needed colour. We do seem to have some unseasonal activity. The big bumble bee we found in the conservatory the other day seemed rather confused and the stray flower buds on the hydrangeas are just wrong.

Although the days are lengthening, we can expect more cold weather. As the anticipataed cold snap approaches we are seeing more of the birds that visit our garden. Within a few minutes I saw about half a dozen blue tits, a blackbird and a song thrush near our bird table.

Blue tit - one of a small flock we see regularly in the garden.

If it does snow or freeze, we will keep putting food out for the birds and, perhaps more importantly, water too.

This train of thought was fired up by Judith Christian-Carter's Facebook Post and associated comments. .