Aspen Catkins

After a few chores and a feeble attempt to dye the grey out of my hair, I took myself off for a brisk walk round the fields and through the woods where I was greeted by a very friendly labrador who was taking absolutely no notice of his dog walker and was enjoying the smells of the countryside.

I spotted these Aspen catkins last week but wanted a really blue sky to take them against and this was just the morning.  I tried to photograph some tiny frosty leaves but couldn't get them sharp enough.  I'm going to start looking like a bag lady if I carry a blanket as well as all the other paraphernalia needed.  OK, perhaps I just need kneepads, which could double up as earmuffs.

The extra is the view of home from the hill (ha!) at the back of the parkland.