A Spring Country Walk

My latest country walk revealed plenty of new growth in foliage and first in year sightings of two butterfly species.

The image below is at a point near the beginning of my walk where the countryside area begins. 

I have shot this many times trying to improve on it and also show a seasonal variety.

The star of this post is undoubtably this Red Admiral butterfly.

An immigrant species that arrives in numbers in May each year. However there are reports of some overwintering in UK. I have certainly seen them in March/April before. This one is in very good condition if it had made the journey from Southern Europe or North Africa its normal Spring departure points.

One of the areas on the walk. 

Pay particular attention to the low hedgerow on the left in this photograph.

It is where.............

.................I was briefly able to observe this Small Tortoiseshell butterfly below, as it was making its way into the hedgerow to roost away from the cold wind and remain overnight as well.

The Small Tortoiseshell was not the only occupant of the hedgerow. 

This Bumble Bee (one of two) was also seen entering the thick dead foliage.

Spring flowers were also observed throughout the walk.

Stitchwort and Celandines was not unusual, but a few early Bluebells were a surprise. 

Much new Spring nature was observed on the walk and green shoots everywhere.

Green shoots were being taken advantage of by some, as shown below. 

The dark coloured tree on the left in this image below marks the 2 mile mark on my walk and today was also my turning point.

This was the view below at my turning point at 2 miles.