Spring burst forth this year and, by taking a quick trip to Michigan, I’ve also burst into Spring. I feel lost in time but am enjoying being with family and friends and around trees and spring bulbs in full flower.
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata), a plant that rarely does well in Central Vermont, is blooming spectacularly in southern Michigan this year.
A pink variety of Star Magnolia is also stunning.
Liz is adamant the Forsythia is more brilliant than she has ever seen. I've learned to not argue and simply enjoy. Who wouldn't?! The technique I used to take this involves just sticking the lens right in front of a group of flowers and focusing through them on another group. I like the results.
As an added bonus the Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis), regular visitors to this part of Michigan, are back and bugling their amazing calls each evening as they come in from feeding.
What a gorgeous creature!
Still Learning To See 
Welcome to the Mitten State! I know the flowers are amazing, but I get a cold chill–just WAY too early for magnolia to be blooming! They are the example I always used in school that kids needed to PAY ATTENTION–since magnolias only last 3 days or so, they ask for us to NOTICE them rather than just hurry by on our busy ways.
Have a great visit, and I’m sure our paths will cross 🙂
Julia was also good enough to let me know the pink flowers belong to the Tulip Magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora). After a few days and a heavy frost, they are, alas, all brown and falling off the trees. Gorgeous while they were in full bloom!