Elder Tree in full bloom

While put on a walk with my dog I spotted this magnificent specimen of Elder (Sambucus niger) in full bloom today. The tree gives its name to the drink Sambuca, although it is not a necessary ingredient.
After the flowers it produces heads of tiny berries that ripen black and used to be fed to horses.
The leaves have a distinctive musky odour, and the stems are hollow, pithy, good for flute making. Also the tree is often host to Jew's Ear fungus, which is edible.

Looking up

While out on a walk with the family we entered a little patch of mixed woodland. I looked up through the greening branches at the blue sky.