Little Things Mean a Lot

“You need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you.”

― Andy Warhol

I think perhaps in the present circumstances of lockdown that we all find ourselves in, it would be a good idea to take heed of Mr Warhol’s quote.  Restricted though we all are currently, nature is not usually far away from us in some form or another.

Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria is a plant that I used to try and erase from the garden as soon as the leaves began to show, not an easy task.  Perhaps fortunately, a growing interest in botanical matters had me becoming very fond of this harbinger of spring, a fondness that was shared by William Wordsworth.  I’ve mentioned once (probably more than once in fact) before on this blog that Wordsworth had wanted the Lesser Celandine carved on his gravestone, but sadly an error was made and what he got was Greater Celandine, an altogether different plant.  The brilliant yellow flower of the Lesser Celandine is now showing well in my garden and once it has disappeared the plants will be pulled up.  I’ve acted this way in recent years but the flowers still return each spring.  I’ve watched closely the development of the plant this year and taken a few images as the flower developed.

There is a Flower, the Lesser Celandine,

That shrinks, like many more, from cold and rain;
And, the first moment that the sun may shine,
Bright as the sun himself, 'tis out again!  (William Wordsworth)

D H Lawrence’s character Paul Morel in the book Sons and Lovers comments to his girlfriend about Lesser Celandine, ‘I like them.  When the petals go flat back with the sunshine.  They seem to be pressing themselves at the sun’.  Mr Morel doesn’t appear to have gone on to tell his girlfriend that pilewort was a vernacular name in use for this plant.  So named, as it was thought to be a good treatment for piles.  Apparently to be used with care as it is poisonous and I note that at least one guy needed medical treatment after having used it.  Ooowwwccchhh!

During the warm days of early spring (where have they gone?)  I noted two or three Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies in the garden along with Bumblebees, the odd Hoverfly and other insects.  Whilst in lockdown, I noticed last night that I am not alone in the house.  A large spider was with me in the bathroom and such was its attachment to me after I had photographed it, it later followed me into the lounge.  It’s presently behind the TV……...or is it?

Whilst chatting to Sam over the telephone I was pleased to hear of his renewed interest in local patch birding.  I don’t think he will be alone in that respect.  Sam had noticed that an area we visit which is normally devoid of people was quite busy with walkers the other day.  There’s little to be positive about at the moment, but maybe the current situation will bring to peoples notice what nature is around them in the vicinity in which they live.  It is probably too late to make the councils and developers take note to how important these open spaces are for our psychological wellbeing and the health of wildlife.