Bright Morning Sunlight And Raindrops On Petals...

I had travelled back home to South Wales the previous evening, through quite horrid driving conditions-very heavy sleet and poor visibility. During the night, the weather had thankfully eased and turned to rain, and just before dawn the rain had also ceased and the clouds cleared. 

As I awoke, I could hear the birds chattering away, and worried yet again that they might be looking for food, I went outside to resupply the bird feeders.

Thankfully no snow or even rain, but the air was crisp to say the least! 

In the clear blue early morning sky, the day’s sun arose and focused her light on some of the early spring bulbs which had flowered whilst I had been away. These delicate miniature flowers simply glowed in the early bright sunlight and some still had raindrops captured on their petals, just waiting to roll off...

These Iris have been the first to bloom. I think they are my Reticulata ‘Gordon’ Iris which I purchased a couple of years ago from Miniature Bulbs www.miniaturebulbs.co.uk a lovely British company specialising in miniature bulbs. 

I have been tempted with many of their bulbs over the last few years as I just love the delicate structure and colour of the flowers. However, because of the very wet conditions here, I have to take great care in order that the bulbs do not succumb to rot. 

My best results have been those planted in containers that I keep on the front driveway which is south facing but rather ‘breezy’.

Others have been planted in the hanging baskets in the rear north facing garden. These take a few more weeks to emerge as the winter sunlight hardly rises enough around there to give them the sun’s warmth and light.

Given these growing conditions, it is truly wonderful when you do aspire glimpses of these little spring beauties...

 

 

An early start to my crocus season seems to be the Angustifolius ‘Bronze Form’ and, in the background, just emerging, are the leaves of one of my early tulips.

In these days when one seems plagued by stress, it is truly wonderful to be able to stop for just a few moments and just contemplate nature...

Even a simple drop of rain water on a newly furled petal can be a thing of absolute beauty...

 

And, after the dark of Winter, these early Spring flowers can give us such wonder-if only we will take the time to look what lies beneath our feet...