Bringing Spring Indoors

I bought a huge bouquet of these flowers at Trader Joe's last week. They are the first thing I see when I walk in my door and have been so cheery!
When checking out at Trader Joe's, they gave me a small bouquet of unopened daffodils which had been kept out of water. They said the flowers would open after I put them in water, so when I got home I plunked them in a glass of water and went to work. When I got home, there was the most glorious group of huge daffodils, fully opened! It was absolutely amazing to me! Of course I'd been gone over 8 hours, but it seemed like magic.

Oblivious

There they go, a happy couple out for a ride with friends. Little do they know the day almost ended in disaster for them, as they cut directly in front of my car without one little glance backward. Their friends on the other bike did glance back before joining them, but by then I had stood on my brakes and didn't look like a threat. They sat in front of me at the light, laughing and talking and having a grand time. I sat behind them and tried to start breathing again. It was a very close call.

Layers of beauty

White

I never liked white flowers that much (except dogwood), but I saw some lovely ones today.

Sun worshippers

Ears flappin' in the breeze!

These unique daffodils made me think of happy dogs with their heads out a car window and ears blowing in the wind!

Beginning

From my apartment complex

Happy flowers

From UNCC Botanical Garden

Beauty in decay

After I posted the caption for these shots, I realized it could have a double meaning. What I intended to say was that the decay of the flowers is beautiful...I took as many shots of that as of the vibrant ones. As I started to post, I realized it could be taken to mean that I saw the beauty of the flowers decaying.





From UNCC Botanical Garden

Finally, some camellias!

It was beginning to seem I was going to miss camellias altogether this year. They were in bloom last time I was at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, but due to new construction, I couldn't get anywhere near them! They are on the downswing here, but I did find some glorious ones!






From the University of NC at Charlotte Botanical Garden

Me and My Shadow

Trees: my friends/my enemies

I love the signs of new life, the swelling buds, the variety of blossoms, the eventual green baby leaves, and the contrast of the blooming trees with the lovely grace of the bare branches some trees still retain.

My body is not so happy. I'm allergic to a variety of trees, and this year the reaction has manifest in hearing and dental problems. Good grief.

I don't think any of these particular beauties are the ones causing me grief, however.

Sunshine in bloom

Trees

I love this big tree I see on my morning walks. Before this photography project, I don't think I paid a bit of attention to how lovely the bare branches of trees can be. So much character!
And another sign of approaching spring. Yesterday pine straw was placed by all the trees in my complex, ready to be spread and look more lively. I just love the color and texture of this tree's "bark." It was a little sunny for the photo to show much detail, but I have a good time gazing at these trees every day as I walk.

Spring's definitely on its way to NC

Botanical Garden

Self Portrait