Taraxacum

... or dandelion.

I had a busy morning doing a quick run up to Nottingham to collect son number two, and have been tasked with making a shep's pie for dinner, so I had to be fairly quick in my ramble through the garden looking for a flower to photograph. I've never really looked closely at dandelions before (except in clock form, which I hope to try later in the year), but they are amazing. Those tiny stamens!

I think I'm going to try a ceanothus tomorrow as the little buds are just starting to burst. Then there are a few bluebells, and daisies – by which time the first lilac flowers should be out. Lordy.