Seedheads and dried flowers

I have had seedheads and flowers drying in the garage for several weeks. I thought it was probably time I did something with them, especially as I had earmarked some for Christmas decorations.

The Anaphalis triplinervis has gone into a new pink jug.

These Nigella seedheads are a nice creamy colour....

.... I also like them sprayed silver for Christmas. The other seedheads are Poppy and Dill.

 
Some of the Nigella seed has been saved for sowing at the Environmental Centre next spring.

 

Winter Solstice today. Nights will start to get shorter (not that we will notice for a while)

Waxwings

I have been hearing reports on TV that unusually high numbers of Waxwings have flown here from Scandinavia. I thought there was no chance I would see them here in Birmingham but I was wrong. I glanced out of the window and saw around 25 of these birds on a tree.

Waxwings

After they flew away I noticed this Chaffinch, a bird I rarely see. My partner took both photographs.

Chaffinch

After two weeks the snow and ice have finally gone. The past couple of days have been very mild but the forecast is for more cold weather by the end of the week.

It's very cold

The snow and ice have continued throughout the week but a thaw has started today.

Despite the cold weather, the Corylus avellana has early catkins and Jasinum nudiflorum has leaves starting to appear.

I have used the time indoors to sort out seeds I've saved including this Calendula seed. I gathered them from the flowers at the environmental centre so that we can do some seed sowing with children next spring.