Exposure and Perplexity

It was a week and a half ago that I posted photos of crocuses at my daughter's house. They have been wilting for over a week now although a few still show a bit of color in the foreground of this picture.



Meanwhile, her daffodils are blooming beautifully, spreading their own sunshine.



On the other hand, my crocuses have yet to open in this their first year. While a few have shown a bit of color, most look as though they won't bloom at all this year.



While I'm not sure of all the possible reasons, one thing I do know is the Thesha's flowers enjoy a fine southern exposure while mine receive some morning sun. It makes a difference.

Proper exposure is good for plants. For kids too. A little object lesson there.

On another note, I'd like to point out the three larger spring plant behind the tree. When I bought bulbs last fall, I vaguely recall purchasing and planting three more expensive ones in addition to the crocuses and daffodils. Now, I can't remember what they are, and apparently I didn't keep the package. Now among other traits, such as dimwittedness, I'm perplexed.

Easter Crocuses

Every year, I make it a point to take some photos of Thesha's crocuses. This year, they are glorious just in time for Easter. We have some on the way in our garden, but they're still cooking because our flower bed doesn't get as much sunlight. These little guys and/or gals are the harbingers of spring for me, and I'm chuffed that they're at their peak for Easter this year. May your Easter be joyous and bright.

Easter Crocuses

I guess it was just about a decade ago that I decided to plant a garden. I had gone five decades without getting around to it, but I suddenly felt the call. For whatever reason, I was only interested in perennials, including spring bulbs that came up every year. Crocuses were the first flowers to come up, and I was smitten. Every year since then, if possible, I try to take some crocus pictures. Even though I don't have a garden at present (I just haven't gotten around to it in this new place), I enjoy Thesha's crocuses every spring. This year, I decided to concentrate on macro shots, which are not that easy, but I'm happy enough with a few of them.

Happy Easter from me and the crocuses.

Gotta Love 'Em

Thesha's crocuses are better than ever this year. You can bet that I'll be posting more before they're done ... which will be all too soon.

Changes

It doesn't take long for big changes to occur at this time of year.

I wasn't planning to blog the snow pile again, but I have had a special request for an update. Remember how large it looked just nine days ago?



Here it is today.



Although I helped Mother Nature along as best I could by continuing to throw some of it back onto the driveway to speed up the melting process, it was a mild week that caused most of the shrinkage. Most of the week was sunny and warmish; it went up to about 60°F one day. Then yesterday's rain washed more away. I wonder how long it will take to melt the rest of the pile? Supposedly, it is going to be yet another fab week.

Also, it was just one week ago that I removed the snow from atop these crocuses.



Here's what they look like today. It's a cool, windy day so they're choosing not to open, but they're present and colourful. I'll try to get some better pictures this week. Although they always look the same I take new crocus pictures every year; I can't seem to help myself.

On the March ... in April

It was a glorious weekend. For quite a while on Sunday afternoon, we sat out on Thesha's porch. It was sheltered and it direct sunlight, and I actually got hot, just in my shirt and no jacket. But I refused to move and soaked it up as much as possible. Days such as this occur early in every spring, often earlier than this, and it can hurt when the weather reverts, but I still enjoy it whilst I can.

I removed some snow cover from Thesha's little garden and found crocus plants sticking out. I love crocuses. They're tiny but incredibly beautiful and so full of promise.


When I checked back with them a little later, the snow had completely melted back from around the plants. Spring is on the march.

But That Was Yesterday

... and yesterday's gone. Oh brother, is it ever as the photo demonstrates so aptly.



But we did do it right yesterday. Knowing that snow was on its way, I took some crocus pictures and posted them earlier today, and Cuppa and I also managed to get on only our second short bike ride of the season. As for today, you've already seen the view outside my den window as it appeared this morning. Enough of this, say I! In my refusal to be daunted, however, I offer several more crocus pictures below.

Yesterday, we made hay while the sun shone; today we munched on yesterday's harvest.

Crocuses

Yesterday, since it was neither snowing nor raining, I thought to try to take some photos of Thesha's crocuses. Lovely flowers these, especially with their timing as harbingers of better weather, but taking crocus photos isn't all that easy. These plants are both sparse and low to the ground, and there is an almost inevitable background of dirt or even worse if last year's garden remains still ... er ... remain. These flowers don't last long either, so I resolved to try to get some pics yesterday, sometimes with the aid of extender rings to get me a bit closer. Here are some results ... with some sharpening help from Photoshop, of course. They're all clickable, and you can even view larger sizes after you do click (look for All Sizes at the top of each photo).

Happy Easter

I feel better already.