Almost there

On my walk today I found these male flowers on a Goat Willow, also known as Sallow or Pussy Willow, almost out. With a bit more of this sunny weather they will open fully soon into a showy cushion of silver hairs and eventually the stamens will emerge with golden tips. This is one of those key annual events that most of us have learnt to expect from childhood, just as powerful in our marking out of the seasons as golden-brown leaves and Holly berries.