March 06, 2010

Change Of Seasons.

This beautiful winter view is taken today in my backyard. It shows an old wooden sun chair, covered with apples and seeds to help the birds get through one of the coldest winters on record.

A winter that is ending.

Although that seems not be the case, judging by the snow covered ground in my photograph. The snow has an icy crust, compliments of the last freeze that has been holding us in its iron grip this past week, bringing cold, dry air and abundant sunshine, however putting an abrupt end to our first thaw. It turned water to ice causing some of my pots to break.

Still, spring is knocking on the door. This is most significantly visible in the sunlight; gone is the orange and golden hue. The rays shine brighter, turning our daylight platinum, as the shadows grow shorter.
The sun causes nature to awaken. Early flower stalks are pushing up through the hard, frozen ground and even through ice. The birch trees have visible buds and it will not be long before the pollen from their flowers fills the air once again, bringing back my progressive photography.

The nature is full of the old and the new. Old withered plants, such as my frozen rose, that is now decaying putrefied on its dry stalk. In such a contrast to the fresh yellow flowers of my Eranthis, finally in bloom, basking in the welcomed spring sunshine. I even spotted a lonely ladybug that was waking up after its winter sleep.

After my short walk, barely feeling my numb fingers, I still gladly retreated to my favourite cosy chair in front of my fireplace, recalling with amusement a rhyme in the Czech language. Each month of the year is described with one sentence, that signifies what the month is all about - the one for the month of March goes something like this; "March - lets crawl closer to the fire".

Even though I still crawl back to the fire, when I look out of my large window, I can sense with unmistakable certainty that the change of seasons is truly in the air.

(Please, click to enlarge.)

37 comments:

Gal Friday said...

Your collage of photos here today is beautiful, Zuzana! (I love the lounge chair "bird feeder" idea, and the frozen roase image.)

It's going to be around 10*C here today(!) and all the snow is melted, so it will actually feel almost like spring for a few days. In a way, though, I would prefer your snowcover to looking at all the brownish, muddy mess we are looking at right now(not enough green and growing yet to soften the landscape)

Kath said...

Lovely collage as ever. I am starting to see birds flying over- head with twigs in their beaks, ready for nest building. When I groom the dogs I put their fluffy hair outside, it would make a very soft lining for baby birds.

Brian Miller said...

yay! cat wait for it to be here for good...actually on my way out the door for the day to enjoy it with my fam..

Anonymous said...

Zuzana,
I too have walked outside the last two days and my fingers were numb for the cold. However, it did feel great to be alive and have two legs to walk with. Sounds like you are as anxious as LadyCat and I to get out into the yard and start cleaning out the old and making way for the new. Have a nice weekend! :) The Bach

Hilary said...

I'm trying to catch up after a week away...

I can't believe how you already have shots, blooms and bugs.. and yet you're still icy cold like we are. It's amazing how the sun can warm those spaces which nurture growth. Beautiful!

Hilary said...

And by "shots," I mean "shoots." ;)

tony said...

It Has Been Much The Same Here In England This Week.A Lot Of (Cold) Sun.Green Shoots from the ground.The Promise Of Spring.
Saying That, The Weatherman on TV says it's going to be -6 Degrees tonight.Winter Is Not Quite Over Yet!
Have A Warm & Friendly Weekend Zuzana.Yes! My Heating Is Keeping Me Toasty Now!

G said...

Hooray! I'm so glad spring is on its way for you. We're a while off yet here in Canada, but the sun is shining and there's been a rise in the temperature that is promising. :) Lovely pictures, as usual. I love your collages.

Cat in the road said...

December grew cold, but your Christmas stories kept us warm.
-
January the post holidays blues set in, but Batcat kept us amused.
-
February you dazzled us with winter sunsets and snow covered scenes.
-
March you give us the first hints of spring and a new beginning.
-
Thanks for the comment on my BLOG ;-)

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh, we are all feeling that change! Yesterday the wind was blowing so hard, I thought our wind generator might take off! :)
Love the Czech rhyme for March - and yes, my fire is going right now!
Wishing you a beautiful weekend, dear Zuzana!
Hugs,
Zuzu

Donna said...

Beautiful photos, Zuzana. I love the change in seasons.

Stay warm.

Hugs,
Donna

Keera Ann Fox said...

I admire that brave ladybug!

You are getting spring earlier than we are, but for the first time since the freeze came in December, we are seeing a forecast of only above freezing temperatures, also at night!

We'll catch up to you yet!

Anonymous said...

I love your photos. I do hope winter has almost come to an end, it has been particularly cold and gruelling hasn't it.

CJ xx

Bhushavali said...

The rose is so different... I can never see something like that in my part of the world..
A rose that is dry but still holding onto its original color..!!! Here it dries in sun and withers off.. Not like there where it freezes and withers!!!

Versailles Palace, Paris - Part II
Work Wear Style - 7

steviewren said...

The shot of green shoots pushing up through the ice is amazing. I wandered around my backyard yesterday looking for signs as well. Widowswarts and snowdrops are pushing up some of their greenery, but that's it.

Elizabeth said...

The sky was blue, the air crisp and the sun shining. It was beautiful although we had more than 10 cm new snow. Arghh.

Spring feels something in a very distant future.

Hope you enjoyed your day off, have a lovely evening.

xoxo Elizabeth

GYPSYWOMAN said...

beautiful reminder to us all that we are about to be turning the wonderful corner toward all the glory that is spring - even out my windows here i see mounds of leftover now-dirty-white snow on every corner - but, you are so right about the change in the sun - and the days are getting a bit longer - today i went down to the beach/marshlands and the birds were out at last - their chirping could be heard everywhere - a wonderful thing! - great post, zuzana!

Mike Minzes said...

Beautiful photos, but I am so ready for spring!!

Holly said...

You are really a very very good photographer!! What kind of camera do you use?

Flashback Friday made me laugh out loud. That song has so many memories for me.:):)

sprinkles said...

I always enjoy your collages but today's has to be my favorite! I love that picture of the rose - so very pretty! And the ladybug too!

The weather here is beautiful today. Still need a jacket but the sun is shining.

You asked what I had planned for last night. I'm on our local committee for Relay For Life. We raise funds for American Cancer Society for them to find a cure for cancer. My father has had skin and kidney cancer so it's a cause close to my heart. Last night we held our Kick Off for the season! Our main event will be in mid-June so from now until then we will be busy raising money and getting the word out about the Relay. It was a fun night and well-attended!

J Cosmo Newbery said...

I reckon Spring is pretty welcome after the winter you lot have had!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

What a beautiful post!!! Your photography is spectacular...and I particularly love the way you describe spring light...calling it platinum!!!!! You have an artist's eye!!!Loved this! Janine XO

Shelly's Style Shop said...

Great post! Love your collage! I love spring you have wonderful photos of the changing seasons.

I hope your staying warm and having a great weekend!

xoxo, Shelly

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Good morning Zuzana! Spring is on its way for you and summer for us!!

Jeannette StG said...

If it would be that cold, I would crawl back to the fire anytime I could! Isn't it great that the sun has that awakening power?

S. Susan Deborah said...

Dear Zuzana:

Love the thoughts here. I have seen you patiently waiting for a change in weather. You will sure be rewarded. Sometimes when the sun burns me, I think of you and your waiting for the spring.

Kisses and warm sunshine Zuzana,
Susan

Lynne said...

A lovely mosaic. I think those words for March are very apt. It is very cold here today although the sun is shining and there are blue skies.
I hope the thaw comes back soon for you.

Unknown said...

Spring is in the air here also. hold on to your seats......... we have had sunshine everyday last week and today too!!! days are getting longer and full of sunshine. makes for very bitter cold nights and mornings though. Love it!!

Reading Tea Leaves said...

I always love your collages Zuzana but this one surpasses all! I only wish I knew how to do them too?!!

I love the old Czech proverb - you must have been doing lots of fireside sitting this weekend, now its freezing again ... BUT, spring is definitely on its way as your photos testify. I'm always amazed at how resilient nature is in the face of such harsh conditions - those little buds and shoots fill you with hope don't they:-)

Jeanne x

Land of shimp said...

Hello, since you don't know me, I'll explain: When Hilary doesn't do a post of the week, I just visit the commenters in various threads. I've been here before, but I'm sort of cropping up from nowhere from your perspective.

I loved the photographs, and the collage. Very nice contrast between the two subjects.

It's funny, isn't it? I'm longing for spring, everyone I know is longing for it too. We're all united in that. That's a nice warming thought, too.

Beverlydru said...

On the gulf coast of Florida, hordes of college students are celebrating spring break. In their bathing suits and sweatshirts as it's still pretty chilly! But we are definitely flirting with spring. Love it.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos! I love the frozen rose and lady bug...both pretty reds. We have had 50 degree days all weekend and it has been so nice to get outdoors again.

Bhavesh Chhatbar said...

Nature is amazing! I love all the seasons :)

Zuzana said...

Tina, Kath, Brian, The Bach, Hilary, tony, BPG, Scribe, Zuzu, Donna, Keera, CJ, Mitr, Stevie, Elizabeth, Gypsywoman, Realliveman, Holly, sprinkles, Cosmo, Janine, Shelly, Phillip, jeannette, Susan , Lynne, Doreen, Jeanne, Land of shimp, Beverlydru, LadyCat and Bhavesh – thank you kindly for your lovely words of compliments on my collage and photography.
To those of you who asked; I use Adobe Photoshop software to create the mosaics.

Still, the real beauty and talent lies at all times in nature itself, I just try to capture it. There is so much wonder all around us, I feel, if we only look.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by, your visits mean so much, more than I can ever adequately express in words.

Xoxo
Zuzana

Rebecca said...

OOh...I love this montage..I am so ready for Spring and digging in the garden:)

Claus said...

Pots that break from cold?! :-o that's unheard of to me! Usually, I'm the one responsible for breaking the pots ;-)
Beautiful picture montage...as always ;-)
have a lovely day!

Zuzana said...

Rebecca and Claudia, thank you so much for your visit and kind words.;)
xo