mixed

A camellia in bloom wears mixed colors. Part is fading to brown while the rest of the flower continues to show off a pale shade of pink.

emerging

A tiny crocus in yellow, emerging.

along the edge

Tiny flowers are starting to pop along the edge of still snow-covered spaces.

clouds

The tide was low, the ocean quiet. Clouds formed interesting shapes overhead, reflecting in pools of water on the beach.

It was a good day for a walk by the sea.

on Jenness Beach, Rye, NH

first flowers

There's still snow on the ground but I took a chance on a short walk at Maudslay this afternoon. I walked where others had been before, staying on a snow-covered path and avoiding patches of mud. My destination was a hillside that usually is a sea of crocus in the spring. I didn't know what I would see but I thought it was worth a walk.

A small section of the hill was clear of snow. There was a single crocus in bloom along with a number of miniature daffodils. It was wonderful to see emerging color.

changing

As I wait for the season to change I continue to find color in greenhouses. This flower is past prime and has dropped from its blooming position; even as it changes the bright color brings smiles.

hiding

Looking out to sea, enjoying blue sky and reflections on wet sand, it could be any season.

I'm hiding from the snow that covers the sand dunes behind me. I'm hiding from the forecast of a snowstorm that appears to be heading our way later this week.

I'm looking forward to spring weather. I wonder, will this be winter's last party?

from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
before the birds take ownership of the beach

fading

Orchids show beauty even as their color fades.

While the shape and colors of the emerging flowers are wonderful, the fading flower edged with drying browns creates another form of beauty.

mystical

The tide was heading out, the sun was playing hide and seek with clouds, and the wind was howling.

It was a perfect afternoon to walk on the beach at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. I walked south first with the wind on my back, leaving the battle of leaning into the wind for the return trip. I wandered between inland pools and streams of water as they emptied into the ocean.

I love the mystical appearance of the ocean, the beach, and the dunes.

camellia morning

Prime camellia blooming season in the greenhouses of the Lyman Estate is from late February through late March.

Today felt like a good day to visit the flowers.

I spent time in the section of the greenhouse where the camellias live, then wandered through the other spaces to see what else was in bloom. While it doesn't seem to be a high bloom time of year, the flowers were beautiful.