Week of March 14-20, 2011 Theme: Spring
"The first day of spring is one thing,
and the first spring day is another.
and the first spring day is another.
The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month."
~Henry Van Dyke
Minnesotans are a hopeful people. The calendar may say it is Spring, but March is typically our snowiest month. In other words, Spring has not sprung for us, but we have hope that it will come. I did, however, see my first robin, appropriately on the first official day of Spring. I actually beat both Steve and Signe in the annual "1st-to-see-a-robin" competition, but took second to my sister, Lola. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me to take a picture of said robin. The first robin sighting is one of my favorite "Spring" moments.
Spring has many definitions. This time of year, the season is front and center. But, what about springing into the air (jumping), springing into action, water springing out of Old Faithful, businesses springing up in a newly renovated area of a city, plants springing out of a seed (growing), a church spire springs into the sky (extends upward), an idea sprang to life, a nail sprang loose from the board, the first light of dawn springs into the darkness, to spring a leak, springing the news of your engagement to parents, to jump or leap, having a spring in your step, mechanical part (car spring, bike seat spring, bed spring...is a Slinky a spring?), water coming out of the earth (natural spring, mineral spring, hot spring, geyser), Biblical springs of living water, to spring for lunch (pay for). There seems to be a myriad of photographic possibilities, now to just find the time to take the photos!
With the weather not cooperating (10 inches of new snow), Steve and I visited Green Valley Garden Center to take photos of flowers for the Spring Photo Theme Project. Their orchids were absolutely incredible. Since I am not known for my green thumb (my mom kept all of those genes for herself), I am not sure orchids are considered Spring flowers, but they are lovely.
"And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest."
~Percy Bysshe Shelley
Green Valley had pretty Ranunculus flowers, too.
Taking a picture of the plant ID tag would have been helpful. I'm not sure what the next flower is. The photo is so-so. There is a lot of "noise" in the background, which distracts from the flower. It was hard to get a clean shot in the green house environment. I think the macro of this flower is interesting.
Who can resist succulent plants in frog, turtle or bunny pots? I like the "herd" view in the first photo and the close up on the second.
"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!""
~Robin Williams
Birds are a sign of Spring and Green Valley had a cute assortment of our fine feathered friends.
Signe, Quincy and I took advantage of a beautiful Winter day, prior to the official start of Spring and the ensuing snowstorm. On our walk, I found several Spring"y" photo ops. In more open spaces, the grass was trying to peek through.
I had fun trying to capture reflection in puddles in our cul-de-sac, as well as on my car hood.
"It was one of those March days
when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:
when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:
when it is summer in the light,
and winter in the shade."
and winter in the shade."
~Charles Dickens
I had fun trying to capture reflection in puddles in our cul-de-sac, as well as on my car hood.
"In the Spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six
different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours."
~Mark Twain
Some signs of Spring can be bothersome. Snow + dirt = Snirt
Potholes seem to be having a prolific year. You know it is going to be a bad season when there's an app for that.
"Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush."
~Doug Larson
The only way I could get a Spring "landscape," was to do a little Picniking.
All of this Spring research and walking can make a girl thirsty. Along with my first robin sighting, McDonald's shamrock shakes are another of my Springtime favorites.
Green, minty, frozen mouthfuls of bliss!
At work (Elk River High School Media Center), we're trying to catch a little Spring spirit.
I had thought about making a book Christmas tree, but did not do it. I think the book tree with Spring origami flowers and birds works, too.
For lots of folks, a sign of Spring is college basketball's March Madness. Working with the English teachers, the Media Center is hosting the first-ever ERHS Battle of the Books. Hopefully this will be a new Spring tradition. Week 1 has been completed and we had 565 ballots turned in. Go books!
 |
| Week 1 |
 |
| Week 2 |
Repeat after me...white balance, white balance, white balance. I also need to work on compensating for different lighting situations.
Signe had fun shooting her Spring Photo Theme Project entry. She set up a tri-pod and set the timer on her camera. Her inner child "sprang" to the surface and she had a blast jumping in "Spring" puddles. She is so creative...not that I'm biased or anything.
Outtakes:
Hopeful duo:
Green Valley Garden Center shopping list, or better yet...Dear Signe, Mother's Day is coming...hint, hint...
Related Links:
Spring Comes to St. Paul (YouTube video)
2 comments:
Whenever I read your blog, I just want to squeeze you and give you a noogy (SP?) You are so darn cute and optimistic:-) Your gentle spirit comes across in your photos and in your words. Kathleen
Aw...shucks, Kathleen :-) By the way, I got Signe's boots at Herberger's a couple of years ago. Cute rainboots rock!
Post a Comment