Winter white and spring white

You might expect to see snowdrops sometime in February and there were some pretty clusters around Rodley reserve. We would not expect to see blossom quite yet - but there is plenty of that too. At first I thought it was blackthorn but I couldn't see any thorns so I now think it was probably prunus cerasifera, a type of cherry plum with five-petalled flowers that is one of the first to bloom in spring. Blossom is always so pretty against a blue sky. I can't believe there are many insects about yet to pollinate the flowers, so that might have an impact later in the year.

The low building in the photo is the nature reserve's shop and café, a delightful spot to rest after walking and bird-watching. It is run by volunteers and serves excellent tea (and no doubt good coffee too, though I didn't try that) and wonderful home-made cakes. It also sells a good selection of bird feeders, seed and fat-balls - all much cheaper than the equivalent in garden centres.