Female hazel flowers

An early tree flower ready for the male catkins to unfurl. The latter are made up of over 200 flowers. They wind pollinate the female flower that produces the hazelnut. Details and better photos on this site https://granthamecology.com/2016/02/03/hazel-flowers/

It was warm sunny day. I tried out my new secateurs cutting ivy off ancient chestnut fence posts that have already seen too many winters.

I feel a cold coming on.