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I blog about nature in the Norfolk countryside and about my wildlife garden. My blog blends digital photos with an analogue nature journal.

Nature journalling blends nature observation and citizen science with a written diariy or art journal to build a deeper connection with nature and cultivate curiosity, creativity and flow.

Honeysuckle or Woodbine

Honeysuckle aka Woodbine or Lonicera. I saw it in my front garden, right by my doorstep. While I traced it I noticed the one long stamen on the open flower, and the long tubular shape of the flower.

I picked it because I found the tube shapes interesting and it was just coming into flower. It made me feel proud of my garden and I enjoyed how beautiful the colours and shapes were.

It brought to mind Shakespeare, because I remembered it's mentioned in a few scenes in his work. This turned out to be in A Midsummer Nights Dream which is fitting as its kind of midsummer, temperature-wise at least!

I also wondered why the tubes are so long because it makes it harder for a lot of insects to pollenate it. Only ones with very long tongues can. I guess it just evolved that way to appeal to particular species.