spring — new leaves green the Schönbuch forest 2018-04-17

In mid April, trees in the Schönbuch forest open their buds and quickly cover the forest in new green leaves. These pictures were taken in a time span of approx. 2 weeks (April 11^th–27^th, 2018).

Note: Some pictures were taken similarly at the same place on different days - in that case, you can select the different days on the buttons beneath the images by hovering the cursor.

11 April

The beeches buds are still closed yet noticeably growing in their size:

European beech full of buds

Flowering hornbeams add some tender green to the branches:

[11th Apr] 17th Apr 25th Apr
hornbeams and oaks

beech (Fagus sylvatica) foliage from last year in the morning light

beech (Fagus sylvatica) foliage from last year in the morning light

beech (Fagus sylvatica) foliage from last year in the morning light

budding beeches (Fagus sylvatica)

17 April

6 days later - the beechs´ buds are opening:

11th Apr [17th Apr]
sprouting leaves of Fagus sylvatica (European beech)

Var 1 var 2
new leaves of Fagus sylvatica (European beech)

[View all] - more pictures to see...

pear blossom on the Schaichberg 2019-04-15

pear blossom

Flowering pear trees on the fruit tree meadows (Streuobstwiesen) around Walddorfhäslach, mainly on the Schaichberg hill, altough few images were also taken at other places.

pear blossom

Infrared photohraph of the flowering pear trees – the white flowers also do not absorb in the infrared:

wide angle 10mm (Nikon1) telephoto 30mm
Infrared: flowering pear tree on the Schaichberg

pear blossom

flowering pear tree

view of Häslach´s church tower with flowering pear trees

pear blossom

colour grayscale
Flowering fruit trees on a Streuobstwiese (orchard)

flowering pear tree

flowering pear trees

flowering pear tree

pear blossom

pear blossom

pear blossom in the evening light

When the air gets coolor in the evening, the fragrance of the flowers gets more intense.

pear blossom in the evening light

sunset on a Streuobstwiese (orchard)

sunset on a Streuobstwiese (orchard) on the Schaichberg hill
The sun is above the Schönbuch forest which spans 'til the horizon. The black spot on the sun (approx 4 o'clock / at the edge of the clouds) is a sunspot.

...from sunset to moonrise:

moonrise over the edge of the Schwäbische Alb with Hohenneuffen castle ruin

Night photograph of the flowering trees in a full moon night (19.4.):

pear blossom on a Streuobstwiese (orchard) in a full moon night

I would have expected the sea of white flowers to be even more bright in this full moon night, comparable to a snowy winter night. However, that was not the case, illumination was much closer to a normal summer full moon night.

chestnut buds 2016-04-02

Many old chestnut trees can be found in the Arenbachtal in the Schönbuch forest. Now their buds are opening, a little bit later than trees outside this rather cold and wet valley (as can be noticed by the many lichens and moss on the branches).

horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) bud

horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) bud

horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) bud

signs of spring in the Schönbuch forest 2020-03-28

Anemone nemorosa (Wood anemone)

a white carpet of windflowers (Anemone nemorosa)

windflowers 1 windflowers 2 windflowers 3
Anemone nemorosa (Wood anemone)

crop whole flower
windflower closeup (Anemone nemorosa)

flowering hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) at the edge of the Schönbuch forest

tree with many mistletoes

overview close-up
newly hatched tadpoles

Willow blossom 2020-03-19

In mid March, (goat) willow trees start to flower and add bright yellow colour spots to the otherwise still barren landscape of the Schwäbische Alb:

flowering willow

female goat willow catkins (Salix caprea)

Willows are dioecious, i.e. female and male flowers appear on separate individuals. Bees were collecting nectar on this female goat willow tree:

female willow catkins of Salix caprea (goat willow)

honey bee on a female willow catkin of the goat willow (Salix caprea)

honey bee on willow catkin

willow catkin with honey bee

male willow catkins

In contrast to the bees on the female catkins on the previous pictures, these bees collecting pollen on male catkins of Salix caprea 'Pendula' wear yellow pollen baskets:

willow catkin with bee

willow catkin with bee

willow catkin with bee

male willow catkin

flowering goat willow (Salix caprea)

flowering Salix caprea (goat willow) at the edge of the Schönbuch forest

backlit willow catkins

willow catkins