Sunday, April 5, 2009

Micro Seasons



Springtime is beginning to mature. It has definitely left the newborn phase and is moving now into infancy. Spring, right now, is like the little chick when its fuzz falls out to make room for feathers, or like a human baby when the umbilical stub falls out, the eyes open fully and develop a definite color. Yep. Springtime is moving through its developmental cycle.

Even the birdsong is developing, changing from the newborn spring sound of cooing doves and an occasional robin to the massive chorus it will be in a few weeks when the migrating birds move through. That morning sound is so like the moment when the half-assed bleating of a newborn human becomes that full throated infant shriek that sends new parents into a panic.

Just now I was about to make the mistake of saying that we humans are more like nature than not like nature. Ummmm ... we ARE completely, 100% natural, even if we like to think of ourselves as distinct. Hello! Yes yes yes we worry and fret and think and pray. We shape for ourselves very fancy environments with our opposable thumbs, but how is that any different than the magnificent creations of ants, bees, beavers, birds (and so many other species)? When I see a perfect robin's nest I am always in awe that they can create such perfection without instructional DVD's or Crazy Glue, without thumbs - without hands of any kind for heaven's sake.

The cherry bloom has passed its peak. Brand new green leaves are appearing alongside the blossoms. I saw the first tulips just yesterday. Spring is maturing. And the circle of the seasons continues. "Onwards & upwards" is a universal phenomenon, oh yeah!



Inadvertently I caught my brother, the Capitol, in this pic. I was holding the camera almost at ground level so it was impossible to see all I was capturing. Very cool.

28 comments:

Reya Mellicker said...

I like the traffic light in the last pic, too.

Janelle said...

what an uplifting photograph for a hot ole dry sunday! and loved the post before too...the critical care one...XXX j

Mrsupole said...

I love spring, it is the time of rebirth and renewal. I think they should celebrate New Year's on the first day of spring. This is really when the new year starts.

Those are some really awesome pictures. I love all the flowers just sprouting up all over the place.

Thank you again for taking them and showing us a new beginning of a wonderful season.

God bless.

Gary said...

Thanks for posting the pics of cherry blossoms. If it wasn't for you I would have missed them altogether. I was in DC only once to see their beauty in person and ever since (1993, I think) I have wanted to get back. Perhaps next year....

CocoDivaDog said...

Good morning reya & jake,
Holding the camera at ground level?
Thank you. What a great shot.
PS How interesting that up here in nyc, spring is just awakening.
And finally we're seeing those fat robins!
Enjoy your day.

CocoDivaDog said...

PS
I adore autumn, but after looking at your photos today I just might change my mind...

Reya Mellicker said...

Spring is so tumultuous - like a newborn. I love it and hate it when the tree pollen begins to fly.

Hey Mrsupole, the Persians celebrate new year's at Spring Equinox. Did you see the video of President Obama wishing the people of Iran a happy new year? Very cool. I agree with you - they got it right in terms of what feels like the new year.

Reya Mellicker said...

Wow! Just noticed there is a person in this pic, too, just beneath the setting sun. I remember seeing her standing on the sidewalk. She came into the pic, too? Fabulous!

Joanne said...

I like photos like this, where at first glance it seems to be about one thing, the tulips, but really has so much going on - the Capitol, the street, traffic lights, trees, the sun!

Mrs. E said...

Reya, it is snowing here today. The only tulips I have seen in bloom were in Walmart. Keep posting your beautiful pictures. Cherry blossoms and tulips are good for this soul. Oh, did I mention it was in the 70's on Friday?! argh!!

Andrea said...

While out and about this morning, I too realized we humans are a mere reflection of Mother Nature. People were everywhere. In good spirits and blooming! Sorry Ol' Man Winter, I used to love you but I'm done with you (for now).

Never made it to DC to see the blossoms but enjoyed them just the same - through your wonderful pictures.

Sandra Leigh said...

Lovely photo, Reya. We don't have tulips yet, but we will. Soon.

Coffee Messiah said...

Beautiful......it's raining with a chance of snow here tonight and on the morrow ; )

Cheers!

Tess Kincaid said...

The Capitol behind the tulips is tres cool, Reya! Fab shot! We don't have tulips here yet...but soon.

Tom said...

flowering trees, as the young leaves begin to take shape, mmmm.
Guess, what? we are going to have snow tommorrow...i think i will cry.
You are turning into some photojournalist, getting down with the dirt to take pictures...terrific.

Elizabeth said...

Is the top one apple blossom
lighter and lovelier - in my view than the cherry.
Beautiful.
Bet Jake enjoyed his walk.

Delwyn said...

Hi Reya
When I was trying to identify my lilies for my recent post I came across some notes that said the the white 'Christmas Lily' we are so fond of in NZ is called the 'Easter lily' in the US. Tall stems with many curly leaves and gorgeous pure white trumpeting blooms. Are you familiar with them.

Ronda Laveen said...

I love the fiery color of the tulips against the cool blue sky and they way they look like they are begging for the sun.

Washington Cube said...

Lemme tell ya about government flower beds. Forever and a day, they would just rip them out seasonally and dump them into apple orchard baskets. Toss and burn. Then some economy measure took hold, and if it was a bulb, like a tulip, they saved to use again. Due to that toss and burn, my mother got many pretty flowers from the White House (having a friend there.) Those tulips will live to tell their petaled tale again, Reya.

Reya Mellicker said...

You're right, Cube. The pic of the tulips was taken right in front of the Dirksen Building. Man do you have the eye.

All of ya'll who are dealing with snow right now? My sympathies to you. Can't imagine having to still be in winter. It's too late for that! I would be crying, too.

Elizabeth, the top pic is a cherry tree ... I think anyway!

janis said...

Oh Reya! You have such talent! Please put together a coffee table book (big one! with at least 8x10 pictures!) I will be the first to buy! I love your work, you talented Angel !

Nancy said...

Very cool pic! We are just starting to see swelling, no buds, and snow!

Evening Light Writer said...

Spring is so juicey too, I keep seeing berries everywhere and on the news they say the peaches will be the best they've been in years because of the cold winter.

It gives and takes back though, they are calling for a touch of snow on Tuesday night in my area..flooding and receeding.

moonshin said...

so beautiful....i've never experienced spring before...or any of the other seasons as a matter of fact.

so keep taking those amazing pictures, Reya...i'll be experiencing spring through your lenses. and from where i see it, spring is simply god-send.

=)thank you for sharing the pics =)

karen said...

I cant' tell you how uplifting your blog is for me. Pictures, words, everything.. The ICU post previously was awesome. These flower shots are stunning.. thanks so much x

Amy said...

We planted grass this weekend in our big dirt patch we call a back yard. We figured we might as well have something back there until the economy recovers and the pool can go in. I hope we see "onward and upward" very soon back there. I so prefer anything green to the blah and bareness of dirt.

The shot of the tulips is fantastic!

Susan said...

Yes! Thank you for the picture of real tulips blooming outdoors. My boss still had the pink tulip bouquet in her office, but they were looking pretty sad... Not too long now and it will be tulip time in Michigan! Woo hoo!

lettuce said...

your cherry blossom photos are part of spring for me now, reya

:-)