Not only did my calendar say Spring Equinox today (vårdagjämning in Swedish) - the sun was shining, it felt like spring in the air, I found the first spring flowers at last - and even spotted the first butterfly!
After lunch I went for my usual Friday "recycling walk" to bins located some 10 minutes walk from home; and after I was done with my sorting there, I went to check on a nearby flowerbed along a south-west facing facade - a place where I do often find the very first spring flowers in my neighbourhood...
And when I got close, I was happy to find not only snowdrops, but also the first few crocuses - and one butterfly, probably still feeling dazed from winter hibernation... (And making me wonder if it, too, knew exactly where to look for the first flowers, because there are certainly not many of them to be seen yet!!)
"The small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) (Swedish: nässelfjäril) is a colourful Eurasian butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Adults feed on nectar and may hibernate over winter; in warmer climates they may have two broods in a season. --- Eggs are laid on the common nettle, on which the larvae feed." (Wikipedia)
we have zero flowers here, other houses do, but they planted them and there are only 2 in our walking area with flowers, they are flower beds newly planted.. have not been anywhere else to see what is growing
ReplyDeleteSandra, there are more bushes than flowerbeds outside the apartment buildings on the estate where I live, but there are are some places here and there where perennial early spring flowers tend to turn up this time of year. And then there are some private gardens + the cemetery nearby. But these are the first flowers that I've seen in bloom this year, they're in a spot that gets a lot of sun when the sun does shine.
DeleteHappy happy equinox!
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara!
DeleteLike the quiet return of life itself, carried on sunlight, fragile blooms, and a single wandering butterfly.
ReplyDeleteRo, it's always kind of relief to see them - signalling the end of the long winter.
DeleteI very rarely see butterflies where I live, there just aren't enough flowers. Probably there are butterflies in other areas nearby. The snowdrops and crocus are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteRiver, I was surprised to see this one so early, as it must be difficult for it to find any flowers to get nourishment from yet. I have also noted that butterflies have become more rare around here in later years compared to 10-20 years ago. I think much to do with less wildflowers, even if now they're trying to reintroduce those in some places.
DeleteAfter the wet grey winter we have had, it is so lovely to see blue sky, sunshine and spring flowers.
ReplyDeleteOh joy! I also saw a small tortoiseshell butterfly today, on my walk.
ReplyDeleteIn Britain we call those butterflies small tortoiseshells though to me they look nothing like tortoises.
ReplyDelete