The February dripping catkins of Alder are now open and conspicuous along the generally leafless Crane. The long yellow male catkins are obvious but a closer look is needed to see the short purple female catkins just above them.

February seems to be a month of waiting. An amazing variety of unusual buds and early shoots are forming along the Crane and the season of dramatic transformation is getting ready to begin.

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Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Receding snow clings to the surface of one of last season's Teasel seedheads.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > A wintry moody sky is a common backdrop along the Crane in February.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > The Robin is one of the first birds to sing at dawn this month. Winter migrants boost the Crane population of this familiar species.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > A patch of morning sunshine briefly illuminates hundreds of emerging buds on this aged Ash.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > A freshly emerged Goat Willow catkin radiates afternoon warmth during what is normally the coldest month along the Crane.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > Bulbs often emerge from the ground in February, but the blooms are at least another month away.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > These well developed bracket fungi are so entrenched on the bark of a mature tree in Crane Park that is hard to see where the bark ends and the fungi begin.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > The February dripping catkins of Alder are now open and conspicuous along the generally leafless Crane. The long yellow male catkins are obvious but a closer look is needed to see the short purple female catkins just above them.

Anita and Keith Martin (borsuk) > With very little greenery on show this early in the season, much of the colour along the Crane comes from less obvious sources. This small garden of lichen brightens up a fork in a branch.

The February dripping catkins of Alder are now open and conspicuous along the generally leafless Crane. The long yellow male catkins are obvious but a closer look is needed to see the short purple female catkins just above them.