Signs of Spring: Snowdrops

Upper Kingsburg, NS

April 2, 2013

It's always reassuring to see this small patch of snowdrops pop up every Spring, even when they are surrounded by snow.  

Also spotted in the yard, daffodils and lungwort (?) blossoms!  What a gorgeous weekend.  

For all those complaining about it being cold, seasonal norms for coastal Lunenburg County are daytime highs of ~7 C, lows of -1.  Sorry folks, this weather is 'normal'.

Acadia Orchid Show - Pt.3

K.C. Irving Environmental Centre

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Feb. 23, 2013

Seems like a drizmal kind of day out there, I prescribe another gorgeous orchid shot to cheer you up!

Acadia Orchid Show - Pt.2

K.C. Irving Environmental Centre

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Feb. 23, 2013

It was hard to meter shots in this sunny greenhouse.  Luckily, my S95 is smarter than me, Auto ISO and Program mode to the rescue!

Stay tuned for more shots of the gorgeous blossoms...

Acadia Orchid Society Show and Sale

KC Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens

Wolfville, NS

Feb. 23, 2013

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending an orchid show and sale hosted by the Orchid Society of Nova Scotia and the Valley Orchid Growers.

To describe the blooms as incredible would be a gross understatement. Several looked unreal, as if they were hand crafted in fondant by a master cake maker. 

I will be returning to Acadia's botanical gardens this spring/summer, looks interesting!

More orchid pics to follow.....

Now that's my kind of lawn!

Why would anyone rather have a lawn full of grass that needs to be mowed, when it could look like THIS!?!  Well, at least in early May ^_^  


Spotted somewhere in Middle LaHave, on da east sigh-EED of the rivah!

The dandelions are taking over

I'm cool with that, especially when they grow beside big, blue blocks of colour!

Big 'ole Forsythia

I marvel at this massive forsythia bush on my daily commute.  Unfortunately, I didn't catch the blossoms at their peak.  I included the shed in the shot to give a sense of the sheer size of this roadside shrub.  Not your average forsythia, that's for sure!

Blossoms....blossoms everywhere!

Gorgeous azaleas abound everywhere in Lunenburg County these days.  Last weekend, I spotted these shrubs  in full bloom, lining the driveway to the Bayport Cemetery.  You can see shadbush trees blossoms in the background.  


Shadbush are aptly named, since their blooms coincide with the annual shad fish run.  Shadbush (aka serviceberry, wild pear and its latin name; Amelanchier) fit in to that weird category of 'shrubs that can grow to the size of trees'.  


Shadbush are blooming everywhere right now, they are pretty easy to spot.  If you see small white blossoms (5 petals) on shrubs/trees in the woods right now, they are likely shadbush.  A beautiful counterpoint to the electric, lime green of new buds and leaves.  Stay tuned for shots of this new growth, set against the grey/brown of trees that have yet to unfurl their lovely leaves....

Home & Shrubbery

The first in what I hope will be a recurring series on the 'ole blog. 


I'm loving all the spring time blossoms, and turns out....so do a lot of home owners in the area. 


Big or small, modest or fancy, seems like everyone has at least one flowering shrub in their yard. Long live Spring!

Crocus time!

Spotted last week, on a very warm lunchtime stroll.

Hard and soft

The ditch beside EADS Composites Atlantic caught my eye on a lunch time walk. I lingered for a moment, soaking in all the nice yellow and white flowers and grasses growing in abundance.

It was only when I looked at the image on my computer that I noticed the clouds and the contrasting hard lines of the factory, enjoy!

This day could use some brightening...

I reckon these daffodils should do the job...

More sun, more flowers

Lots of lovely lilacs in bloom these days. Stop and take a moment to smell one, it's good for what ails you.

Bye bye magnolias and forsythias, hello rhododendrons!,

Manged to bust out my 50mm f/1.8 for some foliage shots. I am loving all the rhododendrons, azaleas and other flowering shrubs busting out this week. Bring on the sun!!!

Amy Farrah Fowler would approve...

Spotted last Friday, blossoms are opening up everywhere this week after that nice stint of sun....Glorious flowering crabapples, cherry and apple blossoms everywhere!!!

Ma ma ma myyyyy magnolia!

Another flower I wish I could eat, they look so delectable...

Grrrrrrrape Hyacinth!

They smell so delicious, if only I could eat them....

A symphony of colour!

I was overwhelmed by all the colour this weekend. Glorious magnolia, forsythia and cherry blossoms everywhere! Farmers' fields were so green, I could imagine that I was in Ireland..

This shot was taken last week, under overcast skies, not quite as electric as the sights this past weekend, but a pleasant dash of colour nonetheless.

Now that's my kind of lawn!

I love all the crocuses and daffodils popping up in lawns around the county. Less grass, more perennials..I like it!

Spring means....purple!

Spotted in Lunenburg last week. *grins*