Great tit and crocuses

© Nataba/Getty Image

Great tit and crocuses

Flowering mainly in late winter to early spring, crocuses come in bright colours such as purple, lavender, orange, pink and yellow. They are perennial, flowering bulbs that are built for toughness. As you can see, the plants can endure frost and even snow because their flowers and leaves are protected by a waxy cuticle. That’s why the first blooms you see in spring are often crocuses. They can grow in a variety of environments, even in the high elevations of the alpine tundra above the tree line.

Crocuses are magnets for bees and birds, like this great tit coming in for a snow-covered landing. The birds are widespread and common in Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia – and they know a sure sign of spring when they see one.