Buds of Spring

Whilst here in Somerset water is not our favourite word at the moment due to the considerable amount of rain we have had over the last couple of months, it can show itself in spectacular forms.  These images are of the silky white catkins starting to emerge from the Goat Willow (Salix Caprea) covered with water droplets.

Before the male catkins of these species come into full flower they are covered in fine, greyish fur, leading to a fancied likeness to tiny cats hence “Pussy Willow”. The catkins appear long before the leaves, and are one of the earliest signs of spring. (Wilkipedia)