Bimble down the Cage brook - Pic Heavy

[Elen Sentier]

Lovely soft warm weather was irrisistable this afternoon, I couldn't resist. I took the phone camera and went out to see what was about, what plants I could find, on the lines of the "Wildlife Challenge" post. I set off across the field from our house to the Cage Brook ...


this is a small stream that has its beginnings over near Dorestone and winds its way past our house and on down to a mediaeval quay on the Wye just below our Iron Age hillfort. I decided to do some plant hunting to see how many species I could come up with ...


Dock



Alder flowers and catkins - the banks of the stream are thick with alder and hawthorn



some gorgeous brand new clover - the field by the stream is cattle pasture, sometimes sheep.


somebody got lunch ...


thistle - not sure which sort though; help needed ...


buttercups coming


not sure of this one ... help ???



goose grass baby - tea good for getting the lymph going



dandelion



hog weed



nettle



celendine



flags coming up - couldn't get too close as the mud is deep!



one of several woodpiles the famrer leaves - good habitat but I'm not sure he does it for that!



moles woken up !!!



a wide pool in the Cage Brook



lovely mixed up habitat - a huge old oak with his feet in the water being swarmed by a holly and loads of ivey (good for owls) and with lots of holes and nooks and crannies for beasties and insects.



a wider view of the mixed habitat



celendine (& things) patch on the banks of the brook



I'm not sure what this is ... help ???



arums (lords and ladies) coming along fine



kill zone, close to where our resident buzzards nest



I took these three feathers and posed them so you can see the ends ...



then, right by the kill zone, "find of the day" ...



a few inches away I found these ...


I'm useless at cotyledons ...help!



and this is just too pretty



somebodies home - right by the brook so suspected rat rather than rabbit although we have rabbits coming out of our ears!



foxglove ???


dung flies mating at the restaurant

It was a grand little bimble. I didn't go very far but was out for over an hour, going slowly and getting shots of what I noticed. Was very pleased with the kill zone and the scat

 

[Harvestman]

Ah, a bimble thread. It just had to be you! It looked like a great day to be out, but I can't stop coughing, so its all day on the computer for me.

Pictures. Hmm...

The thistle is spear thistle (long spine at the leaf tip, and very sharp)
The buttercup is either bulcous or creeping buttercup. Impossible to tell without the flowers.
Your first Help! picture - don't know about the bright green plant, but the darker one is wood anemone.
Your cotyledons are not yet identifiable
Not sure about your out of focus pretty
And I don't think it is foxglove, but I'm not sure what it is. First thought was mullein, but that growns in rosettes and is grey on top. Second thought was butterbur, but it isn't. Dammit, I know this...

Anyway, thanks for sharing.

 

[BenTheSweep]

Lovely post.
I've been out with the dog for a woods amble today. You've inspired me to take the camera tomorrow.

Thank you

Ben The Sweep
--------------#

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Certainly way ahead down there in terms of Spring shooting green.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Great post Elen. Looks a lovely bimble. Thanks for posting.

 

[Elen Sentier]

I'm sorry about the cough, Mike.

Yes, you've reminded me now ...
The thistle is spear thistle (long spine at the leaf tip, and very sharp) it's definitely sharp! Very attractive.
The buttercup is either bulcous or creeping buttercup. Impossible to tell without the flowers. creeping buttercup, i know from later on in the year!
Your first Help! picture - don't know about the bright green plant, but the darker one is wood anemone. ah yes, wood anemone, I couldn't think of it although I could see the flowers in my head
Your cotyledons are not yet identifiable ... oh well !!!
Not sure about your out of focus pretty nor me, and too out of focus!
And I don't think it is foxglove, but I'm not sure what it is. First thought was mullein, but that growns in rosettes and is grey on top. Second thought was butterbur, but it isn't. Dammit, I know this... it is butterbur! Couldn't think. I know because the darn thing covers me in them when I'm collecting hawthorn for jam in the autumn! I sort of knew it wasn't foxglove but couldn't remember. Never seen mullein down there, it's the north side of the stream.

It was fun doing the observation, recommend the phone or camera.

 

[Harvestman]

No, I don't think it is butterbur - the leaves are the wrong shape. I think it is burdock.

 

[Bushwhacker]

No, I don't think it is butterbur - the leaves are the wrong shape. I think it is burdock.

This is butterbur isn't it? You see the flower heads before the leaves.
Took this pic on Sunday.

 

[Harvestman]

Yes, that's butterbur.

 

[magpiewolf]

Check if it's comfrey - young comfrey and young foxglove can be easily confused. Comfrey leaves will feel bristly and smell cucumberish when bruised - foxglove has a rank scent and the leaf is less bristly.

 

[Harvestman]

Comfrey leaves are pointy. I saw some today. It isn't comfrey.