Quiet Reserved Beauty

I was seeking the "quiet" because these pictures were taken over the Easter holidays, when most places seem to turn into raucous Easter Egg hunting-grounds. And "reserved" because I was generally in, or on my way to, various local nature reserves. So here is the quiet, reserved beauty of a small part of the English spring.

The gentle charm of blossoming apple trees.

A drunken path winds through the trees.

Inquisitive residents of a small meadow,

 through which runs an old path;

the way to church in times past.

Butterflies explore their world.

I think this is a male Green-Veined White.

Tulips provide a colourful treat.

Woodland shadow-play.

Happy ponies in the hay.

Between meadows stand

a gate and a footbridge.

Guard duty.

Eager new shoots crowd around mother's feet.

And if you go down to the woods today

you might just find...

A Speckled Wood butterfly.

Well, what did you expect?

The Teddy Bears' Picnic?

Take care.