The bluebells came early this year, starting to gently bloom at the end of April instead of waiting until May like we've come to expect here in my patch.
J and I walked in the woods about ten days ago, a sunny Thursday afternoon at the start of the month and it was magical.
As per usual I took a shed load of photographs, and as per usual I wondered out loud why I can't for the life of me just appreciate the bluebells without feeling compelled to capture the visuals, share them and talk about them with the world at large. It's the same thing every year - I absolutely have to show you how bloomin' gorgeous it all is, you just have to see what I see!
I feel an almost obsessive need to try and convey the beauty of this beautiful and fleeting time in May, when the woodland glows with shades of sunlit blue and green.
It's a living sea of colour, the woodsy equivalent of looking out to sea perhaps?
Sigh.....I love this time of year so much.
Last week I enjoyed the most delightful little posy of bluebells on my table at home, well, when I say bluebells I also need to say pinky-purple and creamy-white bells too. Aren't they pretty? I wouldn't usually pick wild flowers, but these ones are growing in abundance all around the edge of our allotment plot and I couldn't resit picking just a few to bring home.
I love having little flower posies on my table and am really looking forward to planting up my back yard pots for this year.....once my little veggie seedlings are planted out safe and sound I'll be all over the flowers.
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I love bluebells, too. It is like for a couple of weeks in a year the forrest becomes a mystery fairytale place.
Posted by: Silly Little Sheep | May 20, 2017 at 09:33 AM
What wonderful photos of bluebells, my favourites after snowdrops. I've just published a wee post on my blog about my battle between English and Spanish bluebells. They are so similar it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference.
https://thelissenslife.blogspot.co.uk/
Posted by: Jane | May 20, 2017 at 07:33 AM
Actually I was walking in your Blue Bell neighborhood (Bolton Abbey) three weeks ago (bank holiday weekend) thinking of you. :-)
We've never met, but I have seen your posts earlier years and this year I actually was in Yorkshire for the blooming season.
Loved them! Thinking they just might be able to get to grow around my own area (southernmost Sweden) since the other plants are very similar (like all the wild garlic etc).
Posted by: Mia | May 18, 2017 at 06:46 PM
How absolutely stunning!
Posted by: Caitie | May 18, 2017 at 11:51 AM
I think it is the iridescent part of the colour that doesn't come across on camera, my father in law and took photos and and you just don't get that haze the naked eye can see. Still stunning though.
Posted by: heidijo | May 17, 2017 at 10:02 PM
I find the beauty of flowers so hard to photograph, you really want to show off the gorgeousness you are seeing and just can't seem to capture it. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Sierra | May 17, 2017 at 09:17 PM
I really resonated with your comment about 'why do I feel compelled to document the beauty?' I get some gentle ribbing from my family every time we go on a walk and I am clicking away with photos. I think it is about wanting to capture the moment, before it gets away. After all, flowers do have a limited life span. And it's about sharing with others - so, thank you, and keep it up!
Posted by: Angie | May 17, 2017 at 08:33 PM
Lucy, this is a lovely post. Is there a link to a pattern for the doily/coaster under your posy? It is so pretty! Thank you for sharing the loveliness. Have a beautiful afternoon!
Posted by: M. | May 17, 2017 at 08:23 PM
Ah, SO gorgeous. My computer screensaver is a "Forest Theme" - changing every few minutes for my entertainment. One of them is a forest full of lavender Bluebells. Makes weekday cube dwelling tolerable. Here in California our best equivalent is the native blue Lupine which are now abundant in the wild. We'll be seeing lots of them on our hike tonight here:
http://tinyurl.com/mrpg6cs
Thanks for sharing all the beauty and fun on your side of the planet. Hugs from Kimmy
Posted by: Kimmy | May 17, 2017 at 05:22 PM
Loving your bluebells, Lucy and all the lovely photos you share with us....
Lifts the spirits!
Posted by: NORA | May 17, 2017 at 02:55 PM
It's magical! I can understand wanting to capture and share the moment. I wished our woods were filled with bluebells. Have a great day!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | May 17, 2017 at 02:22 PM
Thank you for sharing! I have a few Virginia Bluebells in my flower garden, but they are just coming up, quite a while from blooming, so I appreciate the preview.
Posted by: Arlene Freeman | May 17, 2017 at 12:58 PM
The bluebells from the allotment look like Spanish ones which will hybridise with ours and the should be destroyed or at least all flowers removed before opening so that bees cannot cross pollinate
Our own bluebells are a fantastic blue carpet in woodlands
Posted by: Geeha | May 17, 2017 at 12:02 PM
Just want to say Thank You for sharing the beauty of your countryside!
Posted by: Holley Downs | May 17, 2017 at 11:39 AM
I know the feeling. I also know the feeling of frustration of not being able to capture the beauty the way I see it through my camera lens... You did a great job. I can TOTALLY understand you loosing your breath of beauty overwhelmness. Is that even a word, I wonder... I don;t have bluebells like that and I'm thankful you are sharing yours. Explicit!
Xxx
Annette
My Rose Valley
Posted by: Annette - My Rose Valley | May 17, 2017 at 07:45 AM
I went on a bluebell walk two weeks ago and the intense blue was almost purple. The dappled light coming through the beech trees was fantastic. I love our country!!
Posted by: Carol | May 17, 2017 at 07:17 AM
How beautiful, Lucy!! And I, like Mary above, see afghan colors too! :-) Blessings~ Andrea
Posted by: Andrea | May 17, 2017 at 06:24 AM
Most of us will never see the beauty of the Bluebells so I am glad you show them to us. I do the same with the flowers in my garden.
Posted by: Kate | May 17, 2017 at 02:13 AM
I look forward to your bluebell post. I do miss blue bell woods and your images are lovely. I'm trying to create a little dell of my own here in Australia as I live in Canberra where it is cold enough for bulbs.
Posted by: Spike Deane | May 17, 2017 at 02:00 AM
Thank you for sharing your masses of Bluebells in your forest. We have one little plant in our yard which I've been enjoying so much. Loved the image of the sun slanting through the flowers.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | May 17, 2017 at 01:55 AM
I wish I could express how much I enjoy your blog! Thank you so much for lifting me up and delighting me with your pics and thoughts.
P.S. My place is pretty too - I live in Amish country, PA...but I did live in England for 3 1/2 years and miss it very very much!!
Posted by: Diane Yeomans | May 16, 2017 at 10:29 PM
Love your bluebell pics. As we can only get the Spanish ones to buy here in Oz to grow, I always drool over the "bluebell woods" photos that you post. Thank you!!!!
Take care.
Posted by: Susan Smith | May 16, 2017 at 10:21 PM
Thank you Lucy for sharing your beautiful area. I love bluebells too. Bring back many Happy memories. 🦋🌈
Posted by: Margaret Simpson | May 16, 2017 at 10:08 PM
They're gorgeous aren't they, and how lovely to have found some pink ones too, they're so pretty. I remember going to pick bluebells when I was little and coming back with enough for two or three jugs. Wonderful. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | May 16, 2017 at 10:05 PM
Lovely pics but a shame to pick wild flowers regardless of the law ...
Posted by: Rebecca | May 16, 2017 at 09:45 PM