This has been the view from my window at various times to-day….usually accompanied by hail stones and heavy rain. Then within a few minutes the sky has cleared and the sunshine’s encouraging us to venture out for a walk…
Despite the changeable weather we have to admit that at long last spring has arrived. Magnolia, Perris Forrestii and Azalea are now flowering….
Even the humble Sycamore leaves create a picture all of their own as they glow in the sunshine……
But in the woods it is still the season for Bluebells…….
It would appear to be a short lived season this year. Not sure why….maybe it is a result of the wet winter, or the cold spring, or even the lack of sun but they were late showing. Now the leaf canopy is excluding the light making the flower heads stretch up to capture all the light they can. What is apparent is that too many have grown up blind with no flower spike and all too soon the leaves are falling back exposing the pale interior and ready to collapse till next year. Enjoy them whilst we can is the message…..
13th MAY
© David Oakes 2013
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 
These are such “happy” pictures 🙂
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Well I suppose for mixed spring weather it was a day of more cheer than gloom!
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Awesome. And a complete rainbow
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But NO pot of gold!
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That’s been removed due to the current economic climate
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Oh so true!
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It’s kind of hard to believe that that’s the same sky in the first two pix. The scarlet leaves on your Pieris forrestii are absolutely amazing–I don’t think I’ve encountered that plant before. It’s good to know that so many of your flowers are finally blooming. Our weather remains changeable too–it was 3 degrees F above freezing at 7 am yesterday and it’s supposed to be above 90 tomorrow. Thermal underwear to t-shirts in two days!
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We are promised torrential rains today with snow on the hills just up the road from here. But it is the cold that is back which for May is not just surprising but ridiculous
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Always great to look at your images 🙂
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Thanks …I will try to find some more.
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