May Flowers

The blossoms have been wonderful since the end of April,

but May has brought a profusion of delicate flowers against deep blue skies.

Like this curtain of flowers.

The dark pink centres are a lovely contrast to the white petals of this ornamental cherry.

This one was taken just after a rain shower.

This little tree is in my street and I look forward to the blossom every single year.

These white Narcissus with the yellow centres was taken on an evening walk

in my neighbourhood.

Layers of pink petals so wonderful to see after the winter months.

More rain showers on this beautiful Iris growing in the planter

alongside the building I live in.

The Lilac bushes are still blooming

I managed to capture this Apple Blossom before the wind

blew away the gorgeous chunky petals.

I wonder if this will be a good year for apples?

How fresh the new spring green leaves are as they appear on all of the trees.

The Queen of queens for this month

has to be the luscious Peony.

I like to have them in a vase in my home during the whole of the month of May.

Aren't the petals just wonderful?

They start off  in a lovely deep, vibrant shade which  changes every day.

until they becomes a beautiful luminous creamy colour

and then finally white, before the petals start dropping.

A fallen petal and stamens on the tabletop.

Ruffles of peachy petals

and the last peony standing in the vase.

It will soon be time to get some more of these wondrous blooms.

Soft curves and colour create an abstract quality to the flowers

that bring me such joy all through the month of May.

We have had our fair share of rain this month with polar air blowing our way,

luckily there have been blue skies too!

The rain is needed as the level of the rivers and lakes was getting really low.

A beautiful basket of Hydrangeas arrived today

They have been sent by my thoughtful son in Canada

for Mother's Day this Sunday.

It always falls on the second Sunday during the month of May.

You can see the pretty accompanying card.

This lovely plant will be planted in a big pot on my balcony on Sunday!

Hydrangeas are my favourite plants to have on my balcony.

They flower the whole summer through.

Awakening

With these warmer and longer days, Nature awakens from her winter's sleep.

That's what I love about the seasons, there is always something new to enjoy.

Snowdrops are one of the first flowers to appear,

real harbingers of spring getting ready underneath the nurturing soil.

Wild anemone emerging from the depths of last year's fallen leaves.

Primroses are also early spring flowers. I found these growing out of a very tiny crack in a wall.

I love it when plants find a place to grow when there is seemingly no visible earth.

Sweet violets that I remember picking as a child and putting them into the smallest

thimble-sized vases!

Last year's fern has developed new green leaves, perfect for yet another crack in a wall.

Crocus are just everywhere. I saw these in the park.

Many little pale purple heads hiding an astonishing orange centre.

The buds are positively swelling and some young leaves are bursting forth

It's a little early for blossom still, but these were growing in a sunny spot.

At last!

The golden daffodil

just starting to open down in the park.

Crossing the foot bridge near me at the start of one of my outings, 

this beautiful Siamese cat. He was sitting on a pile of branches looking up at the people

passing on the bridge.

Among all these colourful and cheerful spring blooms,

 I noticed these dried hydrangea flowers and thought how beautiful they looked

against the pale blue sky.

***

A few words on awakening:

"Since ancient times, the term awakening has been used as a kind of metaphor

that points to the transformation of human consciousness,

The word Buddha comes from the Sanskrit word Budh,

meaning 'to be awake'.

So Buddha is not a name and ultimately not a person,

but a state of consciousness"

words by Eckhart Tolle

Blue and Yellow make Green

Dreamy layers of blue

in which I could lose myself

A strong breeze had created patterns on the lake

alternating ripples and smoother areas of lighter, shiny blue.

Each yellow Japonica flower radiates sunshine and spring energy

And when we mix blue and yellow

we get those varied shades of green.

Dancing catkins in the wind challenging me to catch a sharp image!

For a real spring mood

take a light blue sky

add a few fluffy wind-blown clouds

and an overhanging bough of fresh young leaves

New leaves unfurling in the warmth of the bright sunshine

against a backdrop of mottled blues and greens

A touch of white flowers whose name eludes me as I write

and a chestnut tree whose generous leaves provide such welcome shade

in the hottest months to come

I couldn't resist this touch of pink

of cherry blossom so sweet

it goes so well with green, don't you think?

It's impossible to have a favourite colour in spring

for as each one appears

it is my favourite in the very moment I see it!

Today

on this first day of May

Let us enjoy

what Nature brings us!

Letting the light in

I can never resist the unfolding of the leaves each spring.

The way nature wakes up from her long slumber

and teaches me about new beginnings

year after year.

After the toughest winter 

all is renewed

and so may we renew ourselves

when times have been tough.

Let the light come in

to lead the way.

Thanks to the darkness

I may see the light.