A cheerful find

Today was sunny and, yes, actually "warm"! Taking the dog for a walk over the farm I was determined to find something cheerful to blip. The gorse in flower. There is an old saying "When gorse is out of bloom, kissing's out of season". But there is no need to worry as gorse is in flower nearly all the year round. It is liable to become frostbitten but this particular clump is well sheltered by trees.

The shrub (Ulex europaeus) is also known by the names Furze, Prickly Broom, Whin, and Ruffet. Bruised gorse makes good fodder for horses and cows and when dry, good fuel - as in the moorland fires spreading rapidly. The flower scent in warmer weather reminds me of coconut! And of course it is very prickly.