Unfurling Ferns

Everywhere you look in Pennsylvania there are dainty little ferns unfurling in May.

Red Trillium

The red trillium are few and far between, but you can spot them if you look closely.

Trillium

My spring is not complete without visiting the Trillium Trail in Pittsburgh. It’s absolutely stunning when all the trillium are blooming, but I never feel like I can capture it adequately in a photo. The blooms are just so delicate, dotting the woodland floor, and my head is just swiveling when I walk, trying to take it all in. I can’t ever fit enough of it into the frame. But, every year, I try.

Bluebells

It’s bluebell season! I drive past a trailhead several times a week, but once a year, without fail, I am shocked to see a big splash of color right past the parking area. The bluebells just burst into bloom and liven the place up. I enjoyed photographing them on an overcast day this year, and I love the nice, even light on the blossoms. They come in a variety, too, from the blue you expect to see, to also pink and very light purple.

Pittsburgh is Pretty in Pink

I was downtown running some errands so I made sure to stop by this beautiful cherry tree that blossoms against this pink storefront. Isn’t it about the Springiest scene you can imagine?

Snowdrops

I was surprised and delighted to spot these snowdrops while walking the dog earlier this eek. I returned yesterday to photograph them. While on my belly, in the mud, right off the path, a lady walked by and asked - nicely but with in all seriousness - what was so special about those flowers. It made me feel like I must be living on a different planet, because my heart was singing when I first saw them and also on this day. For once, I was able to answer an unexpected question easily: they are the first flowers I have seen this year and they make me happy. Like sooooo happy I am smiling as I type this. Does anyone else get such a huge boost from nature’s little gifts?

Take note of the flowers right in the center of this image - the are literally blooming through this fallen leaf. It’s nature’s message that you can thrive right where you are planted.

Winter Robin

The robins never seem to leave Pittsburgh.