Hurry, Spring!
I can’t wait! But I must be content with these dreams from springs past for now.
Unidentified shoots at Snug Harbor Botanical Garden, Staten Island, NY, NY. Taken in early April.
Pink fawn lily (Erythronium revolutum) a sweet native perennial, growing at Kruckeberg Botanical Garden, Seattle, WA. Taken in late April.
Hellebores (probably Helleborus x hybridus ‘Walberton’s Rosemary‘), also called the Lenten Rose, at the University of Washington Botanic Garden, Seattle. Taken in mid March.
Apple tree blossoms from Chinook Bend Natural Area in Carnation, WA. Taken in late March.
Blossoms on a Magnolia tree cast their shadows in the Chinese Scholar’s Garden at Snug Harbor, Staten Island, NY. Taken in early April.
Unidentified flowering trees at the UW Botanic Garden, Seattle, WA. Taken in mid March.
Tulips, fresh from Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA. Taken in late April.
Finally, jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum), taken right here at home, just the other day – inside. It’s lovely, but I’m eager for those outdoor shoots and sprigs and blossoms and blooms to take my breath away, as they have every year since I could toddle around the yard.
One of my very earliest memories is of tulip shoots bursting out of the cold earth in rural Michigan, where I lived until I was five. Later, growing up in equally cool Syracuse, NY, spring also meant lilacs; old lavender, white and deep purple lilac trees lined the driveway behind the house. A gift. Much later when I lived in Manhattan, I missed the earthier delights of spring, so I made a point of buying myself a big bunch of lilacs every May. Inhale deeply! When I had my own house north of the city, every inch of ground was closely examined as spring wrought its seductive changes. I’ve been living in apartments for years now and I miss having a garden, but I am as devoted a disciple of spring as I ever was.
Soon.
Soon!
josephmadigan459@aol.com
February 8, 2013 at 11:55 am
Promise?
February 8, 2013 at 12:56 pm
So lovely!!
February 8, 2013 at 12:12 pm
they are all lovely, but i think my favorite is the magnolia with the shadows on the wall.
February 8, 2013 at 5:49 pm
That really figures – it has a more abstract feeling. I was really happy with it. I can see how it looks a little like your work, and like a botanical illustration, which you used to do, right? Or still do.
February 8, 2013 at 10:02 pm
yes, and i’ve been itching to do a few new botanicals.. probably a few small ones just to remind myself how much i love painting them! z
February 8, 2013 at 11:34 pm
I will wait patiently to see them.
February 9, 2013 at 11:53 am
thanks so much! i’ll take a time out and paint one before finishing this big acrylic! z
February 9, 2013 at 2:46 pm
Thank you for such intense color that it shocked my wintery spirit back into the world; now I have something to dream about tonight
February 8, 2013 at 5:52 pm
That’s good – we need color right about now, don’t we?
February 8, 2013 at 10:00 pm
Lovely!
February 8, 2013 at 6:52 pm
Thank you!
February 8, 2013 at 10:00 pm
Very lovely, and stirs my longing for the rebirth of spring. I think I like the apple blossoms best, with their hint of color amidst the white and shadows…
February 9, 2013 at 5:29 am
Hi there – thanks! Not too much longer…well, on some days, it does feel like it’s going to be forever.
February 9, 2013 at 11:53 am
super awesome photos.. i wish i could take beautiful pictures like yours
February 9, 2013 at 6:17 am
Thank you – that’s so kind. Just keep looking and keep shooting!
February 9, 2013 at 12:15 pm
yes thank you and i will
February 9, 2013 at 4:21 pm
Lynn— your picture of the Magnolia blooms against the white wall — BIG like.
February 9, 2013 at 12:07 pm
I think it would make a stunning print.
February 9, 2013 at 12:07 pm
From you, that’s a BIG like back at you. I appreciate that. I’m not technically knowledgeable, so I don’t really know why the flattening efect happened, but I loved that it did.
February 9, 2013 at 12:14 pm
As ever, the selection is excellent. The fifth picture in particular is sublime – the balance and contrast of colours and tones, the composition. it really is very special.
February 9, 2013 at 2:18 pm
Thank you Louis! Glad you like it. I was inspired by the surroundings – the Chinese Scholar’s Garden has a lot of wonderful architectural elements, all blended beautifully with the plantings. It’s far away now!
February 9, 2013 at 6:58 pm
Really like the pink flowers against the wall, looks like a painting
February 9, 2013 at 10:34 pm
I’m glad – it does have a more abstract look. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
February 10, 2013 at 10:46 am
These flower pictures are stunning. Thanks for sharing them with us.
February 10, 2013 at 9:56 am
My pleasure, for sure!
February 10, 2013 at 10:45 am
So pretty…and that first photo of the emerging shoots is incredible…and the yellow flowering tree over the wall…so nice…….
February 10, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Thank you so much. It was fun to get down and take that first shot. Since I was very little I’ve looked at the earth that way – and now, with the LCD on hinges…
February 10, 2013 at 9:00 pm
You’re very welcome, Lynn…and yes, now with the hinges…that world is open again to our old(er) knees and backs.
February 13, 2013 at 9:52 am
Gorgeous shots!! I particularly love the first one…
February 10, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Beautiful Photography – love the glimpses of Spring!
February 11, 2013 at 7:41 am
Thank you – since posting this I’ve seen buds that are actually unfolding – it comes early but proceeds slowly here.
February 11, 2013 at 11:27 am
All photos are gorgeous, but I especially like yellow trees, has a very nice defocus
February 11, 2013 at 11:26 am
Thank you very much – I appreciate your thoughts.
February 11, 2013 at 11:38 am
Very beautiful photographs! I want it to come faster! The spring!…
February 12, 2013 at 11:13 am
Really enjoy the unique compositions in these. The last four, especially, stand out to me. Nice work.
February 23, 2013 at 7:22 pm
Thank you for stopping by and paying me the nice compliment. I enjoy finding a different angle when I can – I appreciate your thoughts.
February 23, 2013 at 8:59 pm