The Spring Thread 2011

[the dragonn]

The first few Spring migrant birds have managed to make it to northern England. The first is a Chiffchaff, a very small warbler whose call and name are the same. The second is a Pied Avocet, a wader that is increasing rapidly in the UK. The third is a Pheasant, a year round resident. I took this photo because it was in my moms garden in suburban Liverpool !

[CindyG]

Amazing photos. Everyone on this forum seems to have a way with the camera. What kind of camera do you have if you don't mind my asking?

Wow, the photo of the peasant is sooo beautiful!

OMG Geoff,
you have things that bloom in late January? Think I'd like to move to England. I've still got one pile of snow out back with mud everywhere else and it was only in the 19 degrees last night (March 29.)

[CindyG]

Again, such great photos! What kind of camera do you have Branka?

[gardenguysorchids]

Love looking at these posts of Spring. Looks like it isn't going to arrive here in Pennsylvania. It is March 30th and currently snowing outside. Usually by now garden is full of color-- and the forsythia near it's end---not so this year. The forsythia is barely showing color. For the last week the night time temps have been way below freezing. Most years I have pruned the rose and planted spring annuals. Not this Year! Just love the ones who deny there are major problems with the earth's climate. I think they should get their heads out of the sand---sand being a nicer word of where I really think their heads are. LOL

[catttan]

@the dragonn: Great shots, Steve.How did you get so close to the birds? Were you in a hide? I was in the Maipo Nature Reserve in Hong Kong 3 times for the winter migration of water birds but even with a 300mm (the longest I have) I could never get a decent shot of individual birds - and I can't afford a longer lens.

[orchidsal]

I have always been very fond of birds of all types and these three you photographed are no exception. Nice job in shooting these pictures so close up. I am curious how you did it myself. AL

[Paph]

Great photos Steve, as always!

Incredible pictures, I have nothing up yet, daffys are thinking about it. Branka, are those bees in a Hellabore?

Yes Don, you're righ, but not a wild one, but Oriental Hellebore:

[Germinatorman]

Branka, that last shot of the red Lenten Rose, wow, that is one nice, established cluster of Hellebore. Very nice.

[Germinatorman]

Bill, I am with you, here in northern Indiana there is still nothing up. Well the daffys are up but not yet blooming. Weekend is supposed to hit mid 50F. Maybe this will get things going. Are you Zone 5 on the Agriculture Map?

[orchidsal]

Beautiful flowers and very nice photography Branka. I have only rarely seen Oriental Hellebore in my life. AL