Took this photo of Seattle’s iconic Space Needle in early spring just on Friday in Belltown. Don’t the clouds look pretty? We do clouds well here, or at least have lots of them. Usually all seamless gray, unfortunately. This kind is so much nicer, especially when there’s a bit of blue, too.

Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, seen from Belltown, against a cloudy sky

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In Belltown (a trendy neighborhood in Seattle) on Friday, lots of cherry trees, some with these burgundy colored leaves, were blooming. Here’s a pretty photo with the heavenly blue sky showing in the background. NOTE: I’ve been advised that these are plum blossoms, not cherry. Still beautiful!

Ornamental cherry blossoms at the peak of their bloom.

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That effect where only some of the photo is in focus is always a neat one. I think it’s kind of the way the eye sees, having the brain pay attention to only one aspect of things at a time. Anyway, this pretty crocus with a bright orange center was blooming on this date two years ago, and I bet there are a few out there right now.

White crocus with purple stripes, up close and personal

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There’s a spot under Seattle’s viaduct, not far from Pike Place Market, where a couple of cherry trees always bloom early. This is from last year at this time, but I bet they are blooming right now. The glory of Spring!

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This image of blooming yellow witch hazel is from exactly one year ago. Not too many blue skies (or even flowers) around yet this year, but that’s what photo archives are for. It’s from a close by neighbor’s yard, and I really want some for my yard. It smells heavenly.

Yellow witch hazel tree blooming in late February in Normandy Park, WA

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I know I’m rushing the season, but coming across these pinkish lavender lilacs I just had to post them. They bloomed in April in 2010 and maybe we’ll see lilacs in April this year, too. Right now that seems impossibly far away. Breathe that scent deep, now!

Old fashioned lilacs blooming in April 2010

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It’s a long way to May, but I’m missing the pretty weather already. This photo is similar to one I posted before, but thought you wouldn’t mind another look into a Sonoma County, California vineyard, with both orange California poppies and the more European-looking red ones, in among the grapevines. This was taken by Lila Greenfield in May, and thank you, Lila!

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The rhododendrons are really gorgeous this year. The winter has been pretty mild, with plenty of water, and with the brutally cold winter the previous year, I guess the plants are breathing a sigh of relief and blooming their hearts out in gratitude. This scene in Seattle’s Volunteer Park is just one tiny slice of the magnificent display that rhodies put on for us in the Pacific Northwest.

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Can’t you almost smell them? Lilac shrubs are very long-lived, I understand, so sometimes there’s a bit of a wait before they will flower, even if conditions are good. I know they can get huge, as I once saw clumps of them in Maine that were the size of small apartment buildings. Here in Seattle the acid soil can be a problem, so a handful of dolomitic lime in the fall and spring has really helped. Finally, the flowers are beginning to look like something this year. They bloom on last year’s growth, so I’ll wait until next year for a bouquet.

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Happy Mother’s Day! Everyone had a mother who gave birth to them, and we thank you. In honor of this day, I am pleased to post a photo taken by my daughter, who is the reason I am a mother, on her recent trip to Northern California. The vineyards were filled with not just orange, but red poppies also!

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