Maybe it was due to global warming, or maybe Nature was just feeling antsy. Whatever the reason, spring arrived way earlier than usual this year in my neck of the woods, aka southeastern Pennsylvania, USA. Man, I saw a few trees in flower on the 22nd of March, for crying out loud. That’s at least three weeks sooner than tree-blossoming normally begins. And maples and other big boys of the non-flowering kind unfurled their greenery far ahead of schedule too.
I ain’t complaining, though. A lover of colorful spectacles, I rate the springtime performances of flora quite high on my entertainment list (though not at the lofty level occupied by autumn’s leaves-changing-color extravaganza). Thus, you’ll find me taking a number of walks each spring in which my focus is to admire colors that were unavailable during winter. I spent an hour recently in my suburban neighborhood doing exactly that. My trusty and trusted smart phone was in hand, its camera poised for action. The plan was to use the camera strictly for close-ups. Not of my face, of course, as any images of that rutted, crusty object would have shattered the f*cking camera lens. But of flowering trees and bushes? You bet! Close-ups eliminate surrounding distractions. They get straight to the heart. A close-ups day it would be.
The conditions for the walk were ideal — sunny, cool and breezy. So breezy, in fact, that I had to hold on tightly to my baseball cap a few times, lest it blow off the previously mentioned rutted, crusty object. I strolled from block to block to block, getting up close and personal with cherry trees, azalea and lilac bushes, and other examples of Nature’s wonders. That didn’t happen as often as I’d have liked, however, since many lovely creations were in the middle or rears of people’s lawns. You better believe I wasn’t about to step onto those lawns, not being in the mood to have homeowners yell at me from their front doors or, worse, come dashing out of their homes to confront me. Sadly but truly, you never know what might happen these days. We sure as shit live in uncertain times.
Nonetheless, the walk was a damn fine one. I felt relaxed and at peace, my head pretty much devoid of thoughts. All of which took me by surprise, as I am, for the most part, a natural-born worrier and overthinker, and good and tight in the shoulders too. Calmly on the lookout for pretty colors, I somehow had entered a near-zen state. That’s part of the magic that a Nature walk sometimes imparts to me. I could go for that degree of mental and emotional clarity and ease all the time. It’s the way to be, of that there is no doubt.
I haven’t inhaled spring’s charms and soothing hues all that much since the walk I describe took place. I plan to pick up the pace soon, though, because before you know it all of the flowering trees and shrubs in my area will have dropped their blossoms. I find it a shame that spring’s delicacy and soothingness don’t last for at least several weeks more than they do. If I were in charge of Nature, they would. Hell, let’s take this a few steps further: If I were in charge of Nature, violence and disease would not exist. Living things would not feed upon other living things. The world, in other words, would be a gentle and wonderful place, one in which all organisms, including humans, of course, would spend their days in fulfilling and pain-free manners.
A boy can dream, right?
Yeah, Another Blogger 
“The walk was a damn fine one”. We will share one in the future.
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We’ll talk about Sun Ra, The Flatlanders and The Ramones as we stroll along!
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Good place to start!
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I’m glad spring came early for you, Neil. Your photos are fabulous and I’m a little jealous of those petal-laden trees! Here, spring is long overdue, though I noticed this morning that the leaves are starting to pop. Finally. And I’m thankful no one shot you while you were taking photos on your walk, which seems to be the way things are heading these days. I love your dream of a beautiful peaceful planet.
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Gun violence in the USA is out of control. It’s a sad, horrific state of affairs. The good ol’ Republicans, though, are unwilling to take major steps, let alone minor steps, to reign in the situation.
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I thought Sandyhook would have been enough. Now, people get shot for pulling into the wrong diveway. Or going jogging. You’re right to be careful about stepping on someone’s lawn to take photos of their flowers.
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Nice photo! Welcome on my blog chapitrelumiere.wordpress.com
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Sigh…. So beautiful. Enjoy your spring. I’m just getting rid of the snow pile on my front lawn. The first sounds of leaf blowers are out tackling a long winter’s worth of gravel, throwing up dust. I look forward to some lilacs, but that won’t be until late May or early June.
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My area used to get lots of snow commonly. This past winter we had none at all. Things have become pretty unpredictable and erratic.
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Oh yes. Unpredictable is the key word there. Weather will never be the same again. I guess you’ll have to travel to get a hit of the white stuff 🙂
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“I felt relaxed and at peace, my head pretty much devoid of thoughts. All of which took me by surprise, as I am, for the most part, a natural-born worrier and overthinker…”
OMG, we are twins. Overthinking…my brain never shuts off (although, weirdly, I sleep very well). Anyway, the azaleas get my vote hands down–the vivid passion of their color.
Very surprised to hear your Spring came early. March was icy and snowy and freezing up here. In fact, I would say Spring just arrived yesterday (May 6)–in terms of not needing a winter coat for any part of the day.
Take good care.
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Amy, you’re right about that bright azalea whose photo I took. It’s amazing. Not only in color, but in size. You can’t tell from the photo, but the plant is huge. I don’t recall seeing huge azaleas when I was young. But they are pretty common around here. Maybe some people feed their azaleas with steroids.
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So your state is the state that stole our spring and delayed it until now. Our winter, it seemed, had an added month to it! 🤣 I so enjoyed seeing all the stunning colors you shared. I could almost smell the lilacs! Ah…thanks, Neal, it was a joy to view and read. Happy Spring to you!!
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Morning, Shelley. I’m going to head out for a walk in a bit, and I’m going to smell some of the flowers out there.
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Ah…….that sounds so WONDERFUL!
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You are way ahead of us Neil. We have had some nice weather here but the season has only barely started. I wish I could smell those lilacs through my tablet. 😘🪻
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Hi. I guess you’re several hundred miles farther north than I am. Which accounts for the difference in when spring sets in.
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Your pictures are, indeed, very Zen. Thank you for sharing.
I join you in wishing for our world to be in a better state of mind. It is exactly why I meditate. I’m hoping some of that peace will flow out into the Universe. We could use some Nirvana.
Namaste ~
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Many moons ago I meditated twice a day. I’d be doing myself a favor if I took up the practice again. I could use some de-stressing.
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I think you would also be doing the world a favor. Studies have shown there are ripple effects. I’m choosing to believe that is true. Otherwise the only other thing I can do is vote!
I hope to see you on the cushion, my friend. ~ Namaste 🙏
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Those are beautiful colours! And so relaxing. I could almost feel my shoulders lowering as I looked at your photos. We have some green grass here and many trees are in bud. The prairie crocus is out. The rest will hopefully bloom in a week or two.
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Hi. I took a walk in my neighborhood yesterday and was surprised to see that the blossoms were gone from just about all the flowering trees. The azaleas were looking good though. Enjoy the day. See ya!
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I enjoy these little freeze-frames that let me enjoy the blossoms a few weeks later.
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Digital photography and the internet make it all possible. How did we ever live without them?
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Your last paragraph was touching… I would vote for you in charge of nature. In the meantime, it’s finally warming up in the mountains here, but I go down to Denver to visit actual blossoms. Enjoyed your display.
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Hi Ruth, and thanks. Speaking of Denver, do you follow the Denver Nuggets? I’ve seen bits and pieces of a few of their recent playoff games.
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I’m not a sports fan, but the Nuggets, Broncos and Avalanche are big, big, big in Denver.
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I love this time of year. My azaleas and bleeding hearts, woodland poppies, tulips, all out in full, magnificent force, although now they are starting to drop their flowers and the rhodies are taking over. It’s one of my goals to have a garden that has something flowering all spring/summer/fall, Neil. haven’t made it there quite yet, but I’m getting closer.
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You are an ardent gardener! I predict that you will reach your goal in the near future.
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I hope you are right!
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💜
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I love your dream! I enjoyed your photos too, Neil and for sure those lovely blossoms disappear way too soon.
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Unfortunately, this is one dream that can’t come true.
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Those are gorgeous flowers! We don’t have any of that in my town, and I really miss it. Here it is mostly sage, and sparse pine. You live in a beautiful area!
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Hi. Tho blossoms on trees and bushes around here are something else. But the don’t stick around as long as I’d like them to!
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Thanks for sharing this idea. These images are so amazing. Anita
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Many thanks. I appreciate it. Take care.
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Lovely spring photos! Spring has arrived late, where I live, but it’s finally here. Love all the colours, not to mention the warmer temperatures!
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Hi. Enjoy!
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You are in the right mode of season Neil. I love your blooms!
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Hi AOC. Many trees and bushes have dropped their blossoms by now. But rhododendron bushes are in flower and looking good!
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Awesome! ☕️☕️
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I’ve never seen a Japanese cherry tree. They look like they would be stunning!! Beautiful spring walk!
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Hi Suzanne. It would be fine with me if Japanese cherry trees stayed in flower 365 days per year.
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They’re all so beautiful.
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Hey, Michele. Flowers, for sure, are hard to beat.
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