Longing for spring, in February

On an afternoon walk, warm sun on my back, a breeze from the south in my face, I couldn't help longing to rush the season, to see the tangled branches of the forsythia covered with yellow blooms, to see new leaves and blossoms in the pansy bed under the oak tree. rising above the litter of blown twigs and frost-curled fallen leaves.

But this is all the camera wanted to show me:

Welcome, February

... and welcome also to the new slide show on Dierk Haasis's home page.

Scenes around Hamburg, its beautiful harbor, a close-up of a jeweled spider, raindrops, and an airplane aloft in a blue sky dappled with white clouds, among many other excellent images.

Also, check out his galleries while you're there.

Some Winter Habits of Trees and Shrubs

There's pleasure in looking for tiny signs of spring in the ornamental trees and shrubs about my neighborhood, this late January day.

Young Ornamental Crabapples
Puzzle: Why aren't the winter birds -- robins, cardinals, mockingbirds -- eating these little fruits?







Forsythia Buds
"Can Spring be far behind?"



Japanese Cherry Trees
Their shining gray bark and pink twigs.