Spring Harbinger
April 21, 2011 
Elusive. It peeks its head..and then disappears. It shows its first hint of color..and then fades back to its monochome grey.
Spring - quite simply - hasn't been spring. Not this year.
Flowers are slow to show. Buds on trees have yet to blossom. Some years - they say - it arrives early. This year - it's unusually late. Why is it that for just once - it might arrive in perfect time?
The magnolia - sweet..fragrant..delicate - for me..always marks the beginning. Hopeful. A harbinger of what's to come. Lilacs and cherry blossoms. Green grass. Sunshine and warmth..and bare feet. But mostly - the magnolia marks an unwritten promise that the world is soon to be transformed. From what it is today..to one that will be lush and fresh and in brightly painted technicolor.
And I know - we're all looking forward to that....
Flowers. Spring 2011. Musings. | in Flowers, Musings., Spring 2011 
Reader Comments (30)
Beautiful post, I'm so desperate for Spring. It's unfashionably late this year. Our trees are only just starting to turn green.
What a gorgeous shot!
Lovely magnolia. I've always loved the magnolias that bloom early in spring. I went for a walk today, hoping to photograph a few ephemeral flowers. Nothing. Not even much green peeking from the earth. Wonder if we are going to go right into summer?
again such a special color combo ..I so relish each photo you include here...i hope for your spring soon...
This is beautiful Marcie. I'm sorry your spring is curtailed this year but more glad that you have some blossoming around you.
So gorgeous, Marcie, thank you.
Great colors, exquisite flower.
Gorgeous tones ! Lovely shot !
Here's to the imminent advent of spring in your neck of the woods! Beautiful shot Marcie!
You in the NE states deserve spring more than anyone else this year, Marcie. I hope it will soon be in full bloom, just like this lovely image. Happy Easter weekend in whatever way you celebrate it.
Beautiful flower, gorgeous dof.
I love the photo, the DOF is perfect for this one, and what a nice soft toning on the colors
wonderful picture!
I know what you mean about Spring. It has nearly gotten to the point of depressing. The snow flurries almost daily here have really been dragging me down. Beautiful shot.
Very pretty - and nice bokeh on the background blooms and branches.
That is sweet. Nice use of DoF to give us blurred colours in the background.
Realy a great spring shot Marcie!!
Beautiful picture and words too. I am always teased by spring. What I mean is that I work in the city, but I live 1500 feet in elevation above the city. That difference in elevation means I see trees and bushes flowering, grass all green, etc. Then I drive home and see the hints of spring that always arrives 2-3 weeks later than in the city. It's a tease!
beautiful, love the colors
Lovely shot Marcie...and beautiful words as well...I'm so glad you are writing more and more!
Oh, yes, are we ever looking forward to spring, with yet another threat of snow tomorrow. A white Easter...
Your spring may be slow, but this blossom is beautiful!
Beautiful....makes one dream! Thanks for sharing!
what a perfect shot !
eeei. that looks like a little bird in the middle of the flower. very cool, marcie.
i've tried to take close up pictures of flowers. it is one of those things i don't have a talent for. maybe i try too hard. i overthink my flower photographs.
you certainly don't have a problem with flower photographs. it's beautiful.
You must be so happy to see spring! Lovely shot of Magnolias.
Such a beautiful and delicate image! Love the tones a lot. Great read too!
This is very artfully done - I like it!
Sharon
gorgeous photo. tiny green buds on the trees here, still no blossoms. soon, it will happen.
This is sweet and, yes, the magnola is a wonderful harbinger. When they are pink and red, even more so...
Gorgeous capture and some of my favorite colors!!! We saw hints of spring on our weekend away. Faint hints of spring are starting here - can't wait!