It is a good year for buttercups. You can see them from space. Beneath these there is a Roman villa. Scotts Pines always seem to grow at interesting archeological sites.
I had not realized how good it is for buttercups this year until you stated the fact. Today, I noticed a swath of buttercups at the edge of my woodlands.
I think that Google is talking about another plant called Ragwort. It is also bright yellow and will kill horses and cattle. When we see Ragwort growing in a field, we will pull it up and keep it from wherever animals are kept. Buttercups are fine - some cows are even traditionally called 'Buttercup' here.
Pretty photo, how the wild flowers rush out out to cover the land in spring. Have you asked yourself why that Scots Pine is growing there, apart from the Roman.
Yes, I always ask myself why Scots Pines are where they are. Despite being self-seeded after all these years, they are a good indicator of earlier ancient human activity. Guy Underwood had a theory that - being tall evergreens - their original function was to mark out leys for travellers. They were visible from a distance in Winter and Summer. The Romans had a tradition of wayside shrines placed where they would be seen by the most people in passing. There are quite a few Scots Pines along the lane near where I took this photo. That little lane used to be the main road from Bristol to London up until the 18th century. Now it is the A4.
Yes. The site was on the Western edge of Chippenham. There is now a modest memorial stone (including a depiction of a guitar) outside someone's modest house on that bit of the A4. I think he was on his way back to London after a show before the M4 had been built.
I had not realized how good it is for buttercups this year until you stated the fact. Today, I noticed a swath of buttercups at the edge of my woodlands.
ReplyDeleteI have lost track of where you are from, Susan. G.B.?
DeleteMassachusetts, USA
DeleteAh, thank you.
DeleteHere they do not grow. Google says they are toxic to animals.
ReplyDeleteI think that Google is talking about another plant called Ragwort. It is also bright yellow and will kill horses and cattle. When we see Ragwort growing in a field, we will pull it up and keep it from wherever animals are kept. Buttercups are fine - some cows are even traditionally called 'Buttercup' here.
DeleteIt's a good year for buttercups. Sorry I repeated your first line but it was the first thing that came into my mind.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the ratification.
DeleteNot a single buttercup out here yet.
ReplyDeleteReally? These gluts do seem to be regional.
DeleteThey like wet springs…like I do
ReplyDeleteIs there a dry spring?
DeleteLovely to look at.
ReplyDeleteWhen you stand in that spot, the pine is framed by the other vegetation nicely. In the winter it stands there starkly.
DeletePretty photo, how the wild flowers rush out out to cover the land in spring. Have you asked yourself why that Scots Pine is growing there, apart from the Roman.
ReplyDeleteYes, I always ask myself why Scots Pines are where they are. Despite being self-seeded after all these years, they are a good indicator of earlier ancient human activity. Guy Underwood had a theory that - being tall evergreens - their original function was to mark out leys for travellers. They were visible from a distance in Winter and Summer. The Romans had a tradition of wayside shrines placed where they would be seen by the most people in passing. There are quite a few Scots Pines along the lane near where I took this photo. That little lane used to be the main road from Bristol to London up until the 18th century. Now it is the A4.
DeleteCorrection - it still is the A4, but most people use the M4.
DeleteThe A4 had something to do with Eddie Cochran's car crash didn't it?
DeleteYes. The site was on the Western edge of Chippenham. There is now a modest memorial stone (including a depiction of a guitar) outside someone's modest house on that bit of the A4. I think he was on his way back to London after a show before the M4 had been built.
DeleteHe was brought back to Bath and died (officially) at St Martin's hospital.
DeleteAnother wayside shrine, as mentioned above.
Delete