Around the middle of July, when the sidewalks sizzle and the sun scorches, I begin to fantasize about winter. Ah, the crisp, cold air! The pretty swirling snowflakes! The hot chocolate and baths and cozy evening fires!
It takes exactly one snowfall before my naiveté dissolves and memories of past winters rush in. From that moment on, I long for spring to come again.
In our area, hints of the changing seasons can appear as early as late January: bickering birds, a breeze whose arctic bite is more of a nibble, and — my favorite — the unfolding of flowers. This year the flowers held out on us, popping up well into February. Finally, a week ago the delicate creations below poked through our dry, winter-brown grass and opened up to the sun. While we’re not ready to break out the shorts and sandals, I’m already helping winter pack its bags and hinting that it should hit the road before rush hour clogs the interstate.
In the meantime, I’ve decided to enjoy whatever springly attributes this month has brought. And so on Saturday morning, the first bright, clear day since the crocuses’ appearance, I carted my camera and my new tripod (the latter courtesy of my brother and sis-in-law) into the yard and let loose. Recorded now for posterity – or at least the extent of this digital age – are this year’s first flowers. Click on the photos for larger renditions in more detail. Trust me; they look much better that way. ((If you like these, check out my photoblog, Playing with Pixels, at https://www.caryncaldwell.com/tester/photos!))
Pretty! We just had a ice storm yesterday, and we’re supposed to get some more snow this weekend… Fun! 😀
Gorgeous pictures, Caryn! I hope you’ll post more.
Absolutely loverly! With the snow we got this year, we’re six weeks or more away from even seeing brown grass, never mind anything poking through it. Thanks for sharing!
What gorgeous photos! Thanks for the reminder that spring is on its way.
Love these- great shots.
Beautiful photos, as always!
I don’t always comment on your photo blog, because I feel redundant saying “beautiful photo” all the time. 🙂
These photos are so lovely, Caryn, and–as you said–even more beautiful close up.
Hope you’re having a relaxing weekend! 🙂
Very cool pics 🙂 It never snows here and sometimes I find myself wishing it did. We don’t actually have a winter. It gets cold a couple days in February, then poof, it’s humid and sunny again 🙂
Gorgeous!
These are lovely. Did you know that last year I completely missed mine? (Or else they’re gone…) Thanks for the reminder! I’ll have to do a daily survey.