Daffodil fields, originally uploaded by caz_greig.

The daffodil fields in this photo have a long and rich history, as explained by photographer caz greig: It was taken on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset, UK last Saturday 9th January at 9.39am on the appropriately named daffodil field during our recent cold spell (well, cold for England, that is). Back in the 1920′s daffodils were cultivated on Brownsea Island for shipment to London and it was a prosperous industry. The ridges you can see came about because the soil is rather poor so in order to give the bulbs a reasonable growth medium the soil was piled up into ridges into which the bulbs were placed. Daffodils still grow around the island but are much reduced and eaten by the Sika deer and rabbits though it is still very colourful and attractive in springtime. Brownsea Island is owned by the National Trust and you can get more info from their website. Also, there is an informative book Brownsea Islander by Jack Battrick ISBN 0 7137 0990 1.