#316 - Cherry Plum Blossom and Purple Deadnettle

I was trying to explain Spring to my in-laws when I was in Africa this Christmas, and failing - how can you explain the world coming back to life? Maybe it's as much to do with the absence of winter as anything else, it feels like a miracle every year. On our walk today I could see the first drops of colour appearing in the world; tiny blue speedwell flowers, golden celandines on the banks of the stream and the mauve flowers of the purple deadnettle. It makes me glad to be alive!

#313 - Blossom at Dusk

The early blossom is endlessly exquisite, even on the drab days we have been having.  I took this photo at the end of the day, the light was fading and as soon as I placed the flowers on the stone the wind, which had turned cold, would whip them away and tumble them into the mud. Three times I picked them up from where they had been scattered and eventually I gave up and headed for home.  But later, when I checked my phone, one of the pictures had come out perfectly... the rough stone, the beautiful flowers casting stamen shadows on the rock behind, and a glimpse of the darkening sky beyond.

#173 - Windblown Blossom

The blossom is heart-lifting, I could look at it for ever. Somehow, even with the petals whisked away by the brisk March winds, it is still beautiful, even exotic. And so, Spring comes.

#169 - Cherry Plum Blossom

I am falling in love with this gradual awakening of the year, it is almost painfully slow, there are still acres of mud everywhere, but around corners, unexpectedly... tantalising glimpses of Spring.

#2 - Cherry Plums

  Turned a corner we usually miss in our local park and found another play area (much to the delight of my three little people) and a cherry plum tree. The nicest kind of art is the kind you can eat afterwards!