Anytime is a good time to visit north Wales.
Last winter was the hardest for many years, but there were some magical views in the valleys and the mountains.
Autumn is full of wonderful colours.
Spring though, has to be my favourite time; as fresh green leaves start to appear on the trees and flowers start to bloom.
There is a limit to how much I can put into one post, but I hope it gives a taster of how wonderful springtime is around north Wales.
Betws y Coed is a favourite place of artists, walkers and climbers. There is a lovely walk along the river banks, and on the day these photos were taken the weather was wonderful.
Afon Conwy at Betws y Coed, 13 April 2009
Afon Conwy at Betws y Coed, 13 April 2009
I have already written a post on Llyn Crafnant, on 23 feb 2009, so I won’t go into more detail here. I will say though that Llyn Crafnant is wonderful at any time of the year. This was a lovely spring day with blossom on some of the bushes and trees just starting to come into leaf.
There is not much to say about this photo. Bluebells mean spring, and they were in profusion this year. The photo was taken near Trefriw in the Conwy valley on 30th. April 2009.
Nant y Coed is a lovely wooded valley near Llanfairfechan. It was once described as “the loveliest sylvan rock and river scenery in Wales”, and I certainly wouldn’t argue with that description.
Nant y Coed, 7 May 2009
Blue bells at Nant y Coed, 7 May 2009
A sun-dappled path through Nant y Coed, 7 May 2009
The Isle of Anglesey is a great place to visit. South Stack, not far from Holyhead is a nature reserve. It’s a place to see Puffins, Razorbills and Guillemots as well as the Chough, which nests here.
Walking through the heathland and farmland along the cliff tops you hear the Skylark singing. Not a common sound these days. These photos were taken on 31st. May 2009.
Razorbills and Guillemots perch on narrow ledges, 31 May 2009
Lots of spring colours, 12 May 20
I did a post on Bodnant gardens on 14 May 2009, but with all the spring colours there I had to put a couple of photos here, just to tempt you.
Colours in The Dell, 12 May 2009
Fairy Glen is just outside of Betws y Coed and is well worth a visit.
A walk down into the gorge is a must, and then a walk back up, along the top and then gently down to walk along the Afon Conwy.
The black Zwartble sheep are on the farmland which leads to Fairy Glen.
Zwartbles sheep & lambs, 3 May 2009
Llandudno’s Victorian Extravaganza is held over 3 days of the May Bank Holiday.
It was a beautiful day on the Saturday this year (the Sunday too, but Monday was not as good) and I ended up getting sunburnt!
I did a post on the Extravaganza on 8 May 2009 so this is just a taster.
Fairground rides on the main shopping street, 2 May 2009
Canada goose with goslings, Conwy, 29 May 2009
Birds are every where during spring. Lots of summer migrants have arrived and everywhere you go you can hear bird song.
Not all our birds are little brown jobs either, we have plenty of colourful ones too.
Stonechat near Aber falls, 28 May 2008
Chaffinch on Anglesey, 21 May 2008
Greenfinch at Conwy, 29 May 2008
Oystercatcher chick at Conwy, 30 May 2008
Oystercatcher with a chick, 28 May 2009
Aber falls, 29 May 2008
Visit the Aber falls, it’s a great day out.
Near the village of Abergwyngregyn, the falls are reached after a gentle walk through pastures and woodland. The valley is now a nature reserve.
It was here that I heard my first Cuckoo of the year, last year.
The fall’s longest single drop is about 115ft.
As it’s spring I thought I’d end with some spring flowers.
Gorse, April 2008
Wild Primroses on Anglesey, May 21 2008
Bee on a flower, Conwy, 28 May 2008
Common centaury at South Stack
Birds foot trefoil, Conwy, 28 May 2008
I could have found much more to put in here but that will have to do for now. Why not visit north Wales and do some exploring for yourself.
As you know all the rest of the flowers I thought you might be interested that the flower with the bee on it at Conwy is comfrey (Symphytum officinale). I love it’s 2-tone colours.
Thanks for that. I did know the common name but not the Latin (I’m not that good). I should have other pics of it somewhere, I agree it is a lovely flower.
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What a fantastic April we had this year. Temperatures up in the 70’s and 80’s all so early in the year. Dalesman’s pictures reflect the wonderful weather.