The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day He created Spring. ~Bern Williams, English moral philosopher
While the Illinois Governor has declared yet another month of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, he can’t stop the arrival of Spring.
I managed to get outside the other day and was amazed at how many trees and flowers are in bloom, how pretty the day was, and how few people were enjoying it!
Take a look, won’t you?
Isn’t this a pretty Redbud? Eventually, heart-shaped leaves will replace these delicate flowers:
Here’s a clump of Redbuds behind some tall and probably older trees:
I found these cheery yellow and red tulips at our public library. Does anybody know what those blue cone-shaped flowers are? The best I can figure is they’re some sort of Lupine:
I think this white flowering beauty is a variety of crab apple. If you know better, please educate me. Notice the “snow” beneath this tree as the flowers drop:
I’m fairly certain the next one is some sort of pink Magnolia:
Somebody had this lovely grouping around a cherry tree, which wasn’t in bloom yet. The deep purple tulips and all that white ground cover grabbed my interest:
Oh, look — a pink azalea in bloom — and don’t you love the swing with its scuffed place beneath where little feet pushed higher toward the sky?
Again, not sure what this flowering pink tree is:
This pink Dogwood is just starting to bud:
Such a striking red tree (anybody want to try identifying it?):
Does anything say ‘Spring’ more than a field of Dandelions in varying stages of growth?
More happy tulips swaying in a gentle breeze:
I think this one’s a Bradford Pear. Despite its attractive Spring flowers, lovely shape, and propensity to grow fast and easily, this tree variety is known for being structurally weak (meaning watch out for violent storms because its branches are liable to snap!):
Another grouping of red trees that I have no hope of identifying:
There! Hope you enjoyed our jaunt. I did and am glad we finished before the rains rushed in. Do you have a favorite pictured here?
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
Thanks for sharing your walk with us. I am noticing the brilliant autumn colours on my daily walks.
Judith! Thank you for coming with me. I happen to LOVE Autumn, and I can only imagine how beautiful Nature looks where you are!
So beautiful! I am horrible at identifying trees and flowers —I always have to ask someone as well. We have so many around here that are blooming and my allergies are off the charts but that’s okay. I love spring.
Beth Ann, I used to depend on my late dad to ID stuff in nature — he was an excellent resource! Now, I’m have to rely on my own memory or look things up. I sympathize with the allergies — I have them, too, and I faithfully take my Allegra every single morning. I’ve often wondered if relocating to a different part of the country (or world) doesn’t make one’s allergies that much worse (mine were awful when I lived in Texas!)
Oh what beautiful images of Spring, Debbie! They made me smile 🙂 Spring in your area is really coming to life!
I think my favorite is the crab apple tree. I just wish their blossoms lasted longer.
One thing that has been a positive about this pandemic is that it’s at a time when the seasons have shifted, giving us an incredible sense of rebirth, renewal, and growth.
And also as your first quote says….”hope.”
Thanks so much for sharing the beauty of Spring, my friend. Have a super Sunday! X
How happy I am to have made you smile, Ron! That crab apple is stunning — it looks as if we got a bunch of snow. Sadly, you’re right in that the flowers don’t last near long enough.
“Rebirth, renewal, and growth” — all so true! If only we could get a cure/preventative soon so we can all enjoy the season! Hugs for a happy Sunday! xx
I enjoyed them all, Debbie. That swing made the house look like it was smiling. Your shots reminded me of all the different varieties of flowering trees available in your neck of the woods. Here in Texas, just a few are available. it looks like you are surrounded. Thanks for the tour. No, I can’t name any of them. 😁
Spring has definitely burst forth here, though I was surprised to see that trees I’d photographed in previous years didn’t stand out as much this year. Perhaps some of them, too, are feeling the weight of this pandemic.
There’s something warm and fuzzy about a swing hanging from a huge tree, isn’t there? Thanks for walking about with me, John!
Thanks for leading, Debbie.
Hi Deb, thanks for inviting us on your colorful Spring walk. It’s hard to pick a favorite. They’re all beautiful as they are and for what they represent—springtime. We’re still cold —40s and 50s and gloomy. Seeing your photos gives me hope. Hope you’re faring well during this strange time.
Kathy, so GOOD to see you here!! I’m glad you could walk along with me — and I’m thrilled to hear my photos boosted your hope that Spring is on its way to you, too. It’s been raining here ALL weekend, so I’m glad I took advantage of a pretty day to capture the beauty. Yep, we’re hanging in — a bit tired of being locked down, but it’s a small sacrifice when so many are putting their lives on the line. Stay healthy, my friend!
Thanks, Debbie. We’re all in this together—tired of being confined yet willing to comply for the greater good. I’m going home tomorrow, 4/27 after being in rehab for three months. Still hobbling along with a walker but grateful I can be upright!
Bless you — you’re a real trooper. Hearing this good news is answered prayer (yes, my friend, I’m still covering you every day!). Hang in there, ok?! Hugs (the virtual kind, of course!)
Thank you for your prayers, Debbie. Hugs right back to you.
Beautiful! Happy Spring.
Aw, thanks, Cindy — glad you liked ’em!
Lovely pics Debbie! I’m hopeless at identifying plants and trees, but I’d hazard a guess that the blue flowers with the tulips might be some kind of hyacinth? But equally, they might not… 😉 I suspect nature is thoroughly enjoying getting a little break from humanity for a while!
They might be hyacinths, FF, but if so, they didn’t have the heavenly smell I’ve come to associate with hyacinths. And their “petals” were like millions of clusters of peas! I think you’re right, Nature *is* enjoying putting on her show without interference from us, ha!
Finally, your spring photos….did not disappoint! It did make me feel good looking at them. So needed right now. Thanks for posting.
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Tanya. It was wonderful being outside and seeing all the beauty around me! It’s hard to be sad, even in the circumstances we’re muddling through, when we have so much of creation surrounding us!
Just saw your post…I have been on here lately. Just lost a few close friends. Seeing the beauty blooming outside right now is heart healing. Spring does that.
Here’s what your little bluish flowers are: https://www.gardeners.com/buy/muscari-armeniacum-set-of-60/8600411.html?utm_campaign=PLA&utm_medium=googleshopping&utm_source=google&SC=XNET0146&gclid=CjwKCAjwqJ_1BRBZEiwAv73uwMcPJFDgK7Zb6J6m4cmAGSwy8a-2X3WNmUb47izn3daF_jz5H2DCqBoCB9wQAvD_BwE They are called muscari…they are planted by tiny little bulbs and they spread from year to year. They are easy to grow if you like them. I have some planted under my dogwood tree (which is a very long way from being ready to bloom!) I think most of the rest of the trees, including the red ones at the end are varieties of crab apple, other than the magnolia and the redbud!
Thanks so much, Dawn — I believe you’re right! I know I’ve never planted these muscari bulbs before, so I have no familiarity with them. I really thought they added a lot to that pot of tulips though. Typically, our fruit trees — apple, pear, plum, etc. — are the first to produce flowers, so I figured most of the ones I photographed were fruit, since the maples, oaks, and others are taking their time about leafing out. Thanks for doing the research for me!
Such beautiful trees and flowers, Debbie! I didn’t know the scientific name of the muscari, but sure enough — it’s what I learned to call “grape hyacinth.” You’re right about the magnolia, and I think the red tree five photos down from it is flowering quince. They’ll bloom around here, too, and it took me forever to learn what they were.
As for that last group of red trees, I wonder if they might be Japanese maple. When those leaf out here, they’re as deep red as any autumn tree — then the leaves turn green.
I agree that it’s a darned good thing all this unpleasantness started in late winter/spring. Can you imagine going into quarantine in January? Yikes!
Thanks for confirming that, Linda! You might be right about the Japanese maple. We have one of those, but it’s a dwarf. Still, the leaves are a brilliant red, and it’s quite striking, especially now that everything is so green!
“Unpleasantness” is a good word. “Inconvenience” is another. Regardless, it’s something the likes of which none of us have ever seen — nor do we want to endure it much longer!