In Search of Spring for Bloom Day
In the month of March we begin the shift of seasons. Closing the door on winter and opening another to spring. During the winter months, we have enjoyed the quiet grace of the scenery displayed in shades of black and white. Color is often captured only in fleeting glimpses. In Northern Vermont, March brings forth only the earliest and most subtle signs of spring that will soon unlock a very different landscape. I can’t help but begin to look for these signs of rebirth, those that we have been missing such as the earliest of blooms, and the return of thunderstorms, Witch Hazel, snowdrops, pussy willows, honeybees, and even mud season. I anticipate the arrival of my favorite season, though there are many things that I will miss about winter. The blanket of snow makes everything appear fresh and clean. Trees are exposed and we have the opportunity to study their gnarled and bare branches. Sun and shadows are much more prominent in the landscape and often go unnoticed during the warmer months when our eyes are diverted by all of the surrounding color. But, the melting snow brings the arrival of those blissful earthy smells. Here in the north, we so appreciate these very subtle promises of the new season, and know that we will soon enjoy the sounds of songbirds and peepers, orchestrating the return of warmer and longer days. It seems as if almost overnight the trees begin to bud, and the grass is green once again. I find myself paying frequent visits to the window and the garden, looking for any subtle changes. New leaves are poking out from the soil around the Phlox, and the Peony buds remind me that the flowers will soon return. We wait with much anticipation for the early and vivid colors that will soon return, those offered by the daffodils, crocus and early tulips. Spring is once again upon us, and it is a time to appreciate all of the many changes taking place. I hope these final days of winter hold many promises of the new season in your garden.
Spring offerings from a Hellebore planted last year…
Bloom Day is celebrated on the 15th of every month. For a look at what is blooming in gardens around the world, visit Carol of May Dreams Gardens.
I love the B&W photos…but the pops of color on the doors and windows are a brilliant juxtaposition. Happy GBBD! gail
lovely photos – and Happy Spring: )
I remember our Pussy Willows coming out in the spring as a child at our home in California. I love the different colored doors and windows. They are already for spring with their beautiful colors.
It’s coming! It has to be. Our snow is now all gone. It has to be coming. Spring? Hello?
I love the contrast of the colour and the b & w shots, very clever idea. I am so hoping that spring is here, it has been a gorgeous couple of weeks!
your white blooms are striking, but my favorite photo is that rounded blue door. Very nice.
Hi Liisa, you have such a gift for vivid description of what it is like to experience spring, I could smell the earthiness in your words! The patina of colorful age on the doors and windows took me to another, magical place. Our spring is very late here, it is very cold, and I am very ready for it to come.
Beautiful Post Liisa!! You honor winter’s beauty and celebrate the excitement of change. I love your prose today! Your photography is equal to such praise! Stunning! A joyful post! I must go look for my Hellebores! Enjoy this day 55 here and sunny! It must be close to that for you too. Happy Nearly Spring!! ;>) Carol
What beautiful photos … I really love the doors! The texture of the materials and colors are brilliant. I think the door knob and keyhole are my favorite but let’s not forget to mention your beautiful flower photos! Really love seeing the forms with their shadows and light in the subdued palette. A breath of fresh, spring air!
I love the door pictures! Your indoor flowers look pretty and black and white. Won’t be long until the hellebore is in full bloom.
WOW, what a beautiful post. Your pictures are mesmerizing. Such an interesting concept to have the buildings full of colour and the flowers be muted. Really wonderful. The last picture of the helleore is a perfect combination of the two and what spectacular buds. Fantastic post!
What wonderful pictures Liisa! I love the colors on the old wood doors and windows.The macros are just beautiful.
I did enjoy this very thoughtful post. I too find myself looking out of the window for signs that spring will soon be here
Liisa, such lovely photos! I find it interesting that you would display the florals in BW and the old door in vivid color. Great persepctive! Happy spring!
Hi Liisa, I LOVE the aging patina on the building. The flowers are awfully pretty too. Recently I saw a quote that read something to the effect of “What I like most about snow is that makes my lawn looks as good as the neighbors.’”
True, winter has it’s own form of beauty. But the stages between end of winter and beginning of spring are not always fun. That’s mud season! lol There is a point where suddenly you feel a “shift” of sorts and know Spring has truly sprung. The woodland floor scent emerges and you can almost hear the new growth as everything awakens from its winter slumber. Awesome photos!
What wonderful photos! I do like the sepia blooms. The color on the other photos, is so bright and clear. Where ever did you take them?
You have captured the essence of spring so well both visually and verbally. It was a real pleasure to come over here to read.
I adore that door knob photo… the textured paint is fantastic.
[...] just come across her blog and really enjoyed looking through her beautiful photographs. Check out In Search of Spring for Bloom Day, where I was particularly struck by the beautiful doorways and [...]
I am so glad that your visit to “my place” led me here. I am jealous of the photos…wow. Every season I say “I will do garden bloggers bloom day” and then I get lost somewhere (in the garden, in my head, in my writing). Oh, dear. See you soon again, I hope.
I love spring too. I don’t think I’ll miss winter until late fall and after the leaves have dropped but before the first snow. Your photos are beautiful. That’s my favorite shade of blue on the last door.
I’ve never thought of winter the way you do. I’ve always hated it, but now maybe I have a different way to view it!
You remind us so poignantly of the good things about winter, and then the joyful shift to color once again in the landscape as winter turns to spring.
That’s a gorgeous Hellebore!
Love the colorful doors and windows.
Clever post!
Happy spring, Liisa!
Gorgeous post! Thought Id pop in and see what was new..glad I did..wow..the doors are all mega-beautiful and all the flower photos are like meditations..fabulous work and beautiful post!
Kiki~