Pussy Willow

I'm spending a few days with dear friend B, ahead of the blipmeet at Bletchley Park tomorrow (see activities page for details).
After my drive from Norfolk, a bimble along Furzton Brook this afternoon was very welcome. 
It was lovely to see some pussy willow in bud (at least that's what we called it as children).  Apparently the pussy willow is a favourite flower for Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year). The fluffy white blossoms of the pussy willow resemble silk, and they soon give forth young shoots the color of green jade. Chinese enjoy such signs of growth, which represent the coming of prosperity.
The extra is a silhouette of a heron perched high up in one of the trees along the brook.