It was not a perfect day for shooting due to lack of sun, but definitely a perfect one for a walk. There was no people in the park, no wind, no sun. A very pleasant silence.
I wasn't sure if I get anything to shoot, but some bushes think it's spring :)
Retama monosperma
This one actually starts to bloom in the beginning of winter, so I guess it doesn't even count as a spring flower :p
Commonly knows as Bridal broom, White Broom, or Bridal Veil Broom. It is native to North Africa, but few types decided to grow in the Iberian Peninsula as well.
For a very long time I was wondering how this plant looks like from up close. When you drive on a highway at this time of the year you will see large, white bushes flowing on the wind on the sides of the road. Absolutely beautiful sight! They can grow up to few meters high and are covered in thousands of tiny, white flowers.
This below is not my image, I didn't have a chance to shoot one this big. But have a look how amazing those bushes are!
Image source, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Today I found a small one, maybe a meter tall growing among the yellow Ulex.
They look like pile of green sticks and I believe that what makes them so resilient and draught tolerant - less leaves, less evaporation ;) Pretty smart!
The flowers are about 1 cm across and right now is the blooming peak for them. They will also be one of not many flowers that will open in January. They will be done around May when the hot weather starts. Then they just look like a pile of mess. I would still love to have one in a garden.
If I had a garden...
Probably too big for a balcony pot, right?
A group shot with the nasty Ulex. I like that plant too, but it is a mean mean beast and don't you even think of trying to go though an Ulex mess.
It is a beautiful, intense yellow mess though and it is just about to bloom :)
Quick change of focus.
And while I was busy shooting and earning some scratches on my legs from the Gorse bushes that were around, this little stormed in :)
There was not many insects around. Few sleepy bees, one butterfly... I think it is still a bit early for them and maybe too cold today. There are always some little flowers blooming throughout the winter, but the real spring boom is still ahead of is. Then all the bugs will crawl out and the race will start all over again.
Shot with Nikon D5500 + Sigma 105mm lens
All photos and text are my own.
