Some visions of spring

This post offers a compilation album of spring springing. The pictures have been taken at various stages over the last couple of weeks. In that sense it is themed differently from earlier posts which have been related to specific visits or events. This posts focuses on flora - I will  do another devoted to the fauna soon.

As I gathered the photos to include, it struck me that the colour range is not as great as we are used to (though don't perhaps pay much attention to) at home. Mind you the colour is still vivid and generous and varied. What has struck me more, is that the change, the transition is much more noticeable. Perhaps because of the range of photos already included (a small sample from the number taken!) has focused on the nudity of nature in the pre-spring here ... I thought "pre-spring" because we were a bit late for the real winter and snow and all that which was a good thing overall I reckon.

So it is the transformation, the clothing of the pre-spring nakedness that is eye-catching because it is everywhere. You cannot help but be immersed in it pretty much wherever you stroll - even the seaside. It is, after all, natural. It is a privilege to take the time to enjoy watching it happen rather than merely notice it in passing! 

So here are some examples.

There are dwindling fields and stands of daffodils, but they remain enduring reminders of the beauty possible through the passing chill. These along the River Wensum walk show much more new growth in the trees to offer a different contrast for the daffodils - compared to the earlier post of bare River Wensum views.

 

Of course, the magnificent and scented magnolia trees creating their carpet of fallen petals. Even in growth there is decay which has its own beauty if you look.

  

As the daffodils fade, the tulips emerge to prominence. Much more varied and vibrant in colour; their petals part revealing spectacular inner secret pallettes. Light "bulb" moments indeed!

Tis the season of bluebells. These were at Salhouse Broad, but there are many filds and forests carpeted at present. Just a sight unfamiliar to us because of our warm climate - and different carpets in our fields and forests.

 

Not hard to find familiar camelias, lavender and rhodadendrums. Even more common ones we are more used to seeing in pots.

What would spring be without yellow - especially in Norwich where their football team is yellow (and green) and called the canaries! From the humble and common dandelion to things I have no idea about, but all contribute to the vibrant palette, to a close up inspection of the fields of mustard crop. Even in the reed beds yellow finds a place!

  

 

 

 

Apple and pear and stone fruit blossoms cannot be omitted - they are just spectacular ... from afar and up close ... perhaps we will see some new fruit very soon!

 

Bluebells???

While the flowers tend to get the most attention because they are striking and in gardens and "show-off", I have been mostly been more fascinated with the new life and growth in the trees and bushes themselves. Perhaps that is a function of the main purpose of our visit - to be here for the birth of a child (Maggie) ... she is changing already ... and as you see new human life blossom, so it can be viewed through nature's lens on flora much more quickly. You can "see" the unfurling of structure and life and vibrancy ... the elusiveness of colour and pigments and fragments that blend to provide what surrounds us and makes our environment what it is - even on an island as heavily populated as here :).

So here's to the "common" side of nature, the far less noticed, the garbos, the cleaners and washers and housewives and mums of the world, who go about their business disguising their beauty deliberately to be unnoticed unless we stop and pay attention and acknowledge their crucial role ... to ordinariness in all its understated and very under-rated glory.

You have to make time to notice.

The final comment about this compilation of flora is that it is a constant reminder of the variety of so many things we fail to emulate in the sameness of our built environment ... that environment is angular and straight by comparison - sterile and bare and relatively colourless. And condensed and dominant ... it fails "to be" and tries to be too permanent, resisting the cycle of seasons and life too much. A pity ... and if you doubt this sentiment ... here a couple of images to ponder ... 

A timber build on the river bank, stark against the fresh flush of the willow.

A "power tower" overpowering a lambing paddock by a river.

So-called 21st century "farming" to save the planet from the encroachment shown above (maybe) ... or vandalism?

Our life, our choices.