Although I walk past it several times a week, looking down into it from the road above, it's quite a while since I actually went into the little nature reserve by Hirst Locks. It is growing abundantly and looks wonderful. The pond looks really healthy, with water lilies in flower and plentiful pondlife. I watched both dragonflies and damsel flies skitting across, their iridescent bodies and wings catching the sun.
Some small trees that I thought at first were in blossom proved, on closer inspection, to be those pretty flamingo willows with pink and white leaves, Salix integra.
The reserve has an interesting mixture of wild and garden plants. Meadowsweet is in full flower right now and there was lots of that around the pond. The hot pink feathery spikes by the path are, I think, a variety of astilbe - a gorgeous colour.
Such places, however small, are so very important to wildlife - and lastly, for us.
ReplyDeleteA pretty little spot.
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing the pond and flowers.
ReplyDelete