“The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.” Henry Van Dyke
Weekly Photo Challenge: To Spring or not to spring… Pansies
Weekly Photo Challenge: To Spring or not to spring… budding daffodils
Is it Spring time or not? If you live in my part of the world, my question and Van Dyke’s quote above will resonate deep in your heart. You see, the weather has not been so springlike lately; today it was snowing, sleeting and raining… I stepped out my door and shook my head as only yesterday, it was fairly bright and sunny. Thus, the crazy weather makes man and bird hark back for spring time. That said, I did find signs of spring everywhere as I took my camera and ventured out in the foggy, soggy weather. Most shots were taken today. The ducks on the Hudson were taken a week ago. Come back later, I’ll give you a mini backstory when feasible. What is your spring like so far? 
I shot the pansies this afternoon in front of the flower shop on Main Street. They were in a lovely window box and their cheerful colors called out to me. After the shot, I stepped inside and chatted with the ladies and they shared that, typically, crocuses, pansies, daffodils, snowdrops, tulips, hyacinths and ranunculus were the earliest flowers. Hellebores are also winter and early buds. The daffodils, still wet from the rains, are yellow when in bloom and occupy the front gardens by my driveway. I have many rows of them that bloom beautifully. I’ll make sure to take a digital picture this year and share them with you.
“Listen, can you hear it? Spring’s sweet cantata. The strains of grass pushing through the snow. The song of buds swelling on the vine. The tender timpani of a baby robin’s heart.” Spring. Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider
Weekly Photo Challenge: To Spring or not to spring… Ducks at Hudson Park
Weekly Photo Challenge: To Spring or not to spring… Hellebores in my yard
I photographed the ducks grazing away when I went for a walk at the park. They usually come in pairs or in packs. On that day, the pack was elsewhere and these lovers had the park to themselves. Yes, the Hudson River beckoned… Beautiful place for a walk. The Hellebores are resilient flowering plants and they are in my backyard. I planted them years ago have them in white too; they bloom sometimes in freezing winter. They are toxic plants so must be handled carefully.
“In the spring time, the only pretty ring time, When birds do sing, hey ding a ding; Sweet lovers love the spring.” William Shakespeare
Weekly Photo Challenge: To Spring or not to spring… Ranunculus
Weekly Photo Challenge: To Spring or not to spring… White Crocuses
Ranunculus are one of my favorite flowers as they come in magnificent colors that spring at you like psychedelic light bulbs. I tried planting them once by they did poorly in my terrain. They are better in planters and I shot these outside the flower shop today.They were sitting pretty in a container by the entrance. The white crocuses where under a huge tree in front of my home. They looked so serene and beautiful against the tree and should open when the sun shines in a day or two.
“I wandered lonely as a cloud.That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils.”William Wordsworth
Weekly Photo Challenge: To Spring or not to spring… Bleeding heart buds
Weekly Photo Challenge: To Spring or not to spring… Hyacinths
My Bleeding hearts are abundant bloomers ad have seeded everywhere in the front yard. You can’t miss their red shoots and growth, and their unmistakable heart shaped flowers should be in bloom by April. The hyacinths were in a group of four and originally came as a mixed batch with pink and white ones… the tough years have seen the others disappear and I’m glad these purplish blue ones show up every spring.
“Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems.” Rainer Maria Rilke
Weekly Photo Challenge: To Spring or not to spring… Japanese Peony buds
Weekly Photo Challenge: To Spring or not to spring… Purple crocus
The Japanese peony flower is huge and brightly colored when in bloom. The shoots and bud stems are growing and from the look of it, I might have a generous flowering this season. The lone ranger Crocus was captured a few days ago and although I shot a few more today, the pictures were too fuzzy to add them here. I also have stripped purple ones from time to time but competition for them as mid day snacks for the deer is fierce. ;-( I hope you enjoyed your visit. What do you have growing in your garden? Do you have indoor flowers? What type of spring flowers do you like? Do leave me a comment. I’d love to hear your views. Thank you!
Positive Motivation Tip: Enjoy the coming spring and spread some cheer and color around…
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: From my personal collection, Spring quotes from Thinkexist and AllGreatquotes
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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