Yellow on Blue - February 2017

I always think that springtime has definitely arrived when the Daffodils (Narcissus) come out in force. We weren't quite there yet, but this particular specimen was leading the way and it wouldn't be long before many more followed.

Initially, there were bright blue skies, and plenty of sunshine in dad's garden at the weekend, with the golden petals of the Daffodils making a perfect contrast with the bright blue sky.

Place for Pollen - February 2017

As usual though, I couldn't resist moving in just a little bit closer to see what was going on inside the Daffodil's trumpet.

Delicate - February 2017

Despite the bright blue sky, however, it was also quite wet, with showers passing through constantly. I didn't mind too much as the raindrops made the Snowdrops (Galanthus) look quite lovely.

Budding Forsythia - February 2017

By the look of things the Border Forsythia (Forsythia intermedia) is going to look quite spectacular if all of the flower buds fulfil their promise!

Dripping Honeysuckle - February 2017

The Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) has already put on a wonderful display of both sight and smell, and is now coming to an end of its flower cycle.

Wet Camellia - February 2017

The Camellia bush, on the other hand, has only just begun its display, and with any luck will go on flowering for four or five months.

Dripping Wet Camellia - February 2017

The Camellia petals were looking particularly endearing covered in a multitude of raindrops.

Purple Periwinkle - February 2017

I really liked how colourful this Periwinkle (Vinca) flower was looking. It seemed to consist of every tone of blue and purple in existence.

Nibbled Helleborus - February 2017

Unfortunately, this pink Hellebore (Helleborus) wasn't faring too well, having been apparently nibbled by some unseen and unknown marauder.

Rain Plain - February 2017

And so to the obligatory raindrop on leaf shot that I always seem to post when it has rained! I'm sort of addicted to raindrops, which is just as well with the amount of rain that falls here!

Spiralling Pea - February 2017

I'm also a sucker for an abstract vegetation shot, as can be witnessed by this spiralling Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) tendril.

Golden Catkins - February 2017

Finally, in dad's garden, the catkins of the Corkscrew Hazel (Corylus avellana Contorta) tree were starting to open, and had begun to release their pollen.

Hepatica Bud - February 2017

Meanwhile, what's been going on in my garden? Well, there has been some excitement as one of my Hepatica (Hepatica noblis) plants had formed a flower bud. I've tried growing these lovely plants for many years, and this is the first time I've managed to nurture one to this stage. Hence, I was so excited to see this flower bud appear...

Pink Hepatica - February 2017

...and was even more encouraged to see it attempt to open the subsequent day...

Greenfly Hotel - February 2017

...and by waiting patiently, after a spot of sunshine, I was rewarded by the pure beauty of this tiny flower - as was apparently an even tinier Greenfly (Aphid).

Iris Harmony - February 2017

There were more new things popping up in the garden, like this Reticulated Iris 'Harmony' (Iris reticulata Harmony)...

Unveiling - February 2017

...and the early spring flowers of the Candytuft (Iberis) bush.

Kale Star - February 2017

However, some plants were coming to the end of their time, after some sterling work making the garden look more than a brown mess over winter. This pretty Ornamental Kale (Brassica oleracea) plant was running off to seed...

Pink Cabbage - February 2017

...while this pink one was still holding its form.

Sitting Up - February 2017

Finally, what of my furry photogenic friend? Well, this week he was behaving rather oddly, and tried to sit upright on the sofa, making him look altogether very uncomfortable indeed!

So, this week I chose Yellow on Blue as my Image of the Week, simply because it was the first Daffodil of the year, and it looked good against a bright blue sky...