Essence of Spring

At last - a beautifully sunny afternoon after yet another pale grey morning. The last clouds were still dissolving above us as we started along the last section of the Loch Striven-side road, and around us the trees were just coming into leaf with that wonderful green foam effect that so characterises this time of year.

This moment had it all - the pale sky, the still-cool air, the fresh green on larches and silver birches, the ancient gnarled trees that look as if they should be dead, but aren't, the spikes of the wild irises (gold, when they flower) all along the verge. You can't hear the birdsong, but that was there too.

I didn't want to leave when the time came, and there were more photos ... but they will go on Flickr