Tuesday, May 19, 2009

SPRING GLIDES GENTLY INTO SUMMER


The late afternoon sun is inching towards the spot on the horizon where it will pause for the solstice. I was out in the yard, and noticed how the angle illuminated the leaves of the twin red maples by the breakwall, and the twin red tulips beside the patio. The colors of spring always seem to me the richest, as if Nature is pouring all its energy into renewal. First come the early-blooming flowers, always a welcome sight in a winter-weary yard.



My tulips opened a little late this year – the chill lasted longer on the lake, so they’re still hanging on. They’re not two-tone; it’s the sun back-lighting their delicate translucent petals, and around them the grass and the new leaves show off their bright juicy green–or in the case of my red maples, a brilliant red. Spring progresses in stages. Across the street, the petals from my neighbor’s magnolia have fallen, and the next wave–the lilac buds–are waiting to pop.

As summer wears on, the maple leaves will lose their leaves youthful reds and turn a deeper, brownish purple–a color with the called Mars Violet in my paintbox. Trees with green leaves will grow dull, the grass will lose its spring sheen, and the tulips will be just a memory, but for now everything is shiny and new.

10 comments:

Squirrel said...

A weird heatwave really beat up our crocuses and tulips, but then a chill set in and saved them a bit. Another wave of sun and heat and the trees lost their blossoms,and leafed out seemingly in one afternoon. the lilacs blossoms were beaten up by hard sun followed by terrific thunderstorms.
Things can move really fast which is why we have to pay a lot of attention to each season. One of the many reasons I love your blog is the way you pay attention to the seasons. Each season has those moments-- summer for me goes from the evening when fireflies first appear, to the evening when they come no longer.

Dianne said...

the light thru the leaves is magic!

Rose said...

I like your description, and wish i could enjoy the lilacs again.

Beth P. said...

There is just no other thing like that green! Thank you--

Shelley said...

I love your descriptions of springs gentle arrival. Those tulips are beautiful! (I had thought they were two-toned until you explained about the sunlight.)

magiceye said...

so beautiful....

Gemma Wiseman said...

What a beautiful celebration of Spring in all its fresh glory!
Meanwhile, I am enjoying the quiet peace of colours fading in an Autumn sunset.

bobbie said...

Red leaf maples are so beautiful, and with the sun shining through their leaves, they are magnificent.

Great Grandma Lin said...

summer isn't officially here till june 21st but it feels like it, we've had 100 degrees already but this is what we long for in winter until it comes then the coolness of winter sounds more inviting...

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great spring pictures, Deb... I love your tulips!!! Thanks for sharing.

Have a great and wonderful day.
Hugs,
Betsy