Budding

Any guesses what these might be?

.... well i have never noticed these before but believe it is the early development of fir cones on the Scots Pine. Among a mini forest of new trees I noticed this one today with its bright buds standing out in sharp contrast to the dark pine foliage surrounding it. Amazingly none of the other new trees nearby have this growth and yet all are very healthy showing signs of extensions which will become next year's branches.