Suddenly Spring

Winters in the Pacific Northwest can be downright dreary.  No, we normally don't get the cold and snow like many northern climates, but the endless gray cloudy days get old.  Combine lack of sunshine, lots of rain, and overall grayness, and the months from November to February can seem long and gloomy indeed.

Our first daffodil!

But then, in early March, something wonderful happens.  First, the daffodils rear their sunny yellow heads out of the cold soil.  Then, bright purple crocuses arrive on the scene.

The neighbor's crocuses about to open

And...the next week all the flowering trees erupt in frilly pink blossoms.  BAM!  Before you know it, everything is in bloom.

Water droplet dangles from a daffodil

Spring really snuck up on me this year.  The week after I spotted our daffodils sprouting flowers, every tree in the neighborhood burst into color.  I swear it all happened overnight.

Raindrops bead on daffodil leaves

There's a flowering pear tree in our front yard.  The tree isn't anything special 11 months out of the year.  But in March it decorates itself with lovely white blooms and pink-tinged buds.

Our floweriing pear tree is in bloom

The neighbors on our cross street also have some nice flowering trees.  This past sunny Saturday morning, I ran over with my camera to capture morning light on the blooms.

More lovely blossoms

Right now these bright yellow flowering trees can be found all over town.  Not sure what they are called (not much of an arborist, sorry!) but I know what I like to photograph.

Bright yellow flowers brighten a neighbor's tree

Our next-door neighbors have a giant weeping willow tree, that dangles over the fence into our yard.

Blossoms cascade down our neighbor's weeping willow

It was chock-full of cute little white flowers. 

Blossom close-up

The flowers began dropping from the tree's branches, decorating the ground below.  Even lying on the sidewalk, they're mighty pretty.

Fallen blooms decorate the sidewalk

Remember the photo of the closed crocus flowers at the beginning of this post?  Well, later that day I was delighted to pass by and discover their petals had opened.  And they were indeed lovely.

The crocuses are open!

Spring in Portland is colorful and glorious.  Bursting onto the scene like a delightful surprise, it's our reward for enduring the long, dark, gray months of winter.


Sharing with:  Our World Tuesday.

First Flower

It happens every year.  Once February has taken its exit, the dull gray that's Portland in winter begins to slowly brighten.  The first indication spring is almost here?   When daffodils begin to push themselves up through the rain-soaked soil.

Last weekend I discovered a clump of cheery yellow daffodils blooming in my front yard.  The sun made a brief appearance.  Just long enough for me to grab my camera and get a couple of shots.

One week later, the cherry trees have burst into frilly pink blossoms.  Tiny green leaves are beginning to sprout from other trees.  Our backyard frogs are out in force, performing their nightly symphony.

Yep - spring is coming fast.  My skiing days are numbered.

A Bit of Color....

Finally, a post that's not about skiing!  (some of you must be breathing a sigh of relief).  With working all week, and skiing all weekend, I've neglected to notice what's been happening in my front yard the past couple of weeks.

The torrential rains of March have given way to an explosion of spring color.  Trees and flowers are blooming all over the place.  Our daffodils have pushed themselves up from beneath the soil and begun exhibiting cheery yellow blooms.

The flowering pear tree in our front yard is doing what its name implies - sprouting frilly white blossoms.

And delicate little purple and pink flowers are blooming beside our neighbor's fence.

With crummy weather forecast for the mountains (wind+rain=no skiing!), my daughter home on spring break, and my hubby finally back after three long weeks in China, I decided to stay put this weekend. Being home in the daylight, I finally noticed our now-colorful front yard.

Between rain showers, I had time to grab my camera and capture some of the spring's colorful floral display.

March was so drab and gray.  The Portland area received 7.75 inches of rain - in just this month!  When everything started blooming and greening up, it was most a welcome sight. 

 

It's a sure sign that spring is finally here!

Although I'll still be traveling up to the mountain to play in the snow, it's nice to see everything blooming again in town.  There isn't a more beautiful place than Portland in the spring.