Between the thorns

The wild gorse is starting to respond to the slightly warmer weather and although the wind was blowing a hoolie I managed to capture this macro of a bud sheltering between the protective thorns. My finger can vouch for how lethal these weapons are - but I wasn't prepared for the softness and hairiness of the emergent bud when I put it onto the computer screen. This is why I love macro - it can teach us so much that we otherwise glance over.

Speaking of macro- well done to those of you who correctly ID the pine needles from the blip on the 12th.