Last week’s photograph was of vivid red tulips. In the bright sunlight of spring, colors often become bold, striking, and rich in contrast. But there’s also a flip side to the season, and that’s the softness that’s found in the spring palette. When the sky is overcast, or in the early morning or late evening there’s a calming and quiet hush that sometimes settles over the gardens. It’s almost as if nature is resting after all its exuberance in bursting forth after winter. In trying to photograph this softness and hush I’ve chosen to take this image with a slight blur, making this more about the shapes, tones and feelings rather than the direct representation of the tulips.
spring
The richness of tulips
Our spring and warm weather has us all wishing for more of both. These tulips in our backyard are in full (and beautiful) bloom, although last year they weren’t blooming until after the first of May. It’s a treat to have green grass and color after our months of winter and white snow. I have photographed the yellow and red tulips many times (and you may yet see some of those images here). But today I set a new challenge for myself. As most photographers know, mid-day is NOT the time to photograph bright flowers in the sunlight. The colors become washed out and the photos are too bright. My goal was to see if I could come up with a “good” image taken in the bright sun of mid-day. What I did find was that I loved the contrast of the blue sky against the red tulips, and by getting down low under the tulips I was able to take advantage of the vibrant red and yet not have the color wash out. I welcome any comments and thoughts you might have about my final outcome.
Pasque flowers announcing spring
One of the first prairie flowers to bloom in the spring are the pasque flowers. They thrive in gravel prairies and are found in various areas throughout Minnesota. Yesterday I ventured south of the Twin Cities to a Minnesota Scientific and Natural Area. When I first arrived, the morning was cool and overcast, but I was thrilled to have found a wonderful slope dotted with these small pasque flowers. Standing only 4 to 5 inches tall, they are easily overlooked from a distance. As I walked along I found more and more of these little gems pushing their blooms up from under the brown grasses. I spent over an hour photographing, all the while accompanied by the sounds of Canada geese and mourning doves. As I stopped to take in the beauty of the landscape around me the skies slowly cleared and I was treated to a warm sun and beautiful pasque flowers against a blue sky — a delightful and wonderful welcome to spring.
Spring green
Within a one-week span, spring has arrived and broken through the late-winter doldrums. Warmer temps and an afternoon of rain followed by clear sunshine has brought a burst of green all around. The lawns have quickly changed from brown to green, blooming daffodils have been spotted in the neighborhood, accompanied by colorful crocus, and leaves are starting to be visible against the blue skies. Our lilac bush has opened its lovely light green leaves to the warmth of spring. Everything seems to be about two weeks ahead of schedule, yet no one is complaining. Even the smell of green and spring is noticeable and welcome in the air this first week of April.
Uncovered surprises
With rain and warmer temperatures, most of our snow cover has melted. What surprised me was what has now been uncovered. Not only have I spotted tulips courageously pushing their tips above the ground, but I also found a beautiful dried hydrangea bloom. Somehow it survived the winter without being crushed by the weight of snow. I woke one morning to see it being blown by the wind across the front lawn. So strong, and yet so delicate, its blossoms are sheer with amazing intricacies. When backlit the bloom shines with the warmth and strength of the sun, and reminds me of other surprises to come in the change from winter to spring.
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