Lens-Artists Challenge #105 – Crystal Springs
Tina’s theme for Lens-Artists Challenge #105 this week is: SPRING
“The promise of spring’s arrival is enough to get anyone through the bitter winter!” – Jen Selinsky
Some may consider the winter in Southern California as mild because there’s no snow. Usually the temperature doesn’t drop below 40oF. Yet accustomed to the warm climate all my life, this mild winter cold still chills my bones. I find not being motivated to do outdoor activities.
“The first blooms of spring always make my heart sing.” – S. Brown
Many of the plants and trees in my garden are perennial that doormat in the winter. The earliest budding appeared on the plum tree. The tiny innocent white buds popped out to sing to me, “Spring is coming.” I made a daily appearance in my garden to search every branch of the plum tree anticipating the delightful blossoms. Within days, the scattered white buds became full covering the entire tree and some popped open the smiling faces. How I wanted them to stay forever!
“The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.” – Gertrude S. Wister
Flowers spark my eyes and warm my heart. During our trip to see my daughter and her family in May 2018 as a Mother’s Day outing, we visited the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. I wanted to swallow all the beauty of the greenery and vibrant colors and let them forever be alive in me.
The more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas, and companion plants in the garden have all been donated by volunteers and interested individuals, or purchased with specially donated funds. Beginning in early spring and continuing into summer, they provide a magnificent display of color.
“Sometimes the smallest thing takes up the most room in your heart.” – A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
The Canada geese and the goslings feast on the grain and graze on the grass. The field by the lake is a haven to raise the young goslings.
I wrote this poem for my poetry collection Songs of Heartstrings: Poems of Gratitude and Beatitude
In Sync with Spring
Seeds were fallen,
hidden in the soil.
Coldness in the dark
keep them quiet in the ground.
Light and shadow
Gradually shift
to bring the warmth of
sunrays to the earth.
Calling the seeds
to wake up and come forth,
to feel the warm breeze and
smell the fresh air.
Slowly and gracefully
buds pop out,
unfold their petals and
the fragrance they breathe out,
dance joyfully in sync with
spring!
~ ~ ~
The Showers of Blessings 
Beautiful Pretty Pictures I enjoyed seeing them, thanks so much for sharing these Miriam!!
Love Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
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You’re welcome, Kristi. You’re not too far from this garden.
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Lovely shots Miriam…so serene! When the trees are full of blossoms, I too wish they stay like that forever! 🙂
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I always want to see cherry blossoms. I hope to do it someday. 🙂
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The garden looks wonderful, Miriam. A perfect choice to showcase spring. The same is true for your poem. Lovely.
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Great photos, Miriam. Watch where you step!
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Haha, thank you, John. We did watch our steps!
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Absolutely lovely pictures, Miriam, and I enjoyed this poem too.
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I thought of this poem right away when I saw the theme of the challenge, Robbie. Talking about in sync, the weather, the rain, the sun and the bees were not in sync this spring, so I only got 50 plums instead of 1,100 I got last year. Nature plays a big part in our life!
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It does, Miriam. The one positive for C-19 is it has opened up more human eyes about the serious damage we are doing to nature.
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Yes, Robbie. C-19 made some good impact on us in many ways.
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Beautiful photos, quotes, and visit to the Rhododendron Garden, Miriam. We have a rhododendron garden in Portland that I visited once. It was so pretty. Spring is always welcome here too, even though our temps are mild during the winter. Those first warm days are glorious!
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Yeah, Diana, this rhododendron garden in SE Portland by Reed College. Probably this is the one who visited? My daughter and SIL had the engagement photography taken here. This is beautiful.
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Yes! Lol. It is. It’s so pretty, Miriam. I went about 4 years ago and hopefully will get there again in the spring. 🙂
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Yes, Diana. I would like to go again when I go to Portland. 🙂
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Thank you for the enjoyable tour of the garden, Miriam. Beautiful poem.
I love these geese, the last image is so lovely. 🙂
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I know, Amy, the last photo warms my heart and reminds me of cuddling my granddaughter. 🙂
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💗💓
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What a beautiful place, Miriam. And your pictures have captured it splendidly. I love the last picture of the goose with its goslings.
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Thank you, Sue. That field in the garden was full of fuzzy little goslings. It was lovely.
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I love the photos! 🙂
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Thank you so much! 😊
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Beautiful photos and poem, Miriam. A wonderful tribute to spring. You can keep the geese down there, if you really want to. 🙂
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Thank you, Mark. Haha, I forgot why they are named Canada geese. They are lovely. 😊
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I like how you said you wanted to swallow up those flowers!
And mice way to end the post with a poem from your book!
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Thank you, Y. Hope you’re doing well!
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😊✌️🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
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Rhododendrons and Canada Geese are both staples of where we live. Beautiful photos, Miriam!
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That’s great, Pete! I love ducks and geese. Rhododendrons are beautiful.
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Beautiful, Miriam. Brightened my cold wintery day! Thank you.
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Yes, Nora, it’s summer here. It cools the pressing heat for me.
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Works for us both in different ways, Miriam. That’s nature. 🙂
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Right, Norah. We went to Australia in August. I liked the tropical weather in Caines. 🙂
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It stays warm in Cairns most of the year. When it’s not warm, it’s hot! 🌞😁
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When we were there, we saw huge tropical plants. 🙂 🙂
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They are beautiful, aren’t they?
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They surely are
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Hi, Miriam. Beautiful photos and poem. Spring certainly is a spectacular season.
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Yes, Kim, too bad spring doesn’t last for too long for us.
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Your pictures were as lovely as your poem, Miriam.
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Thank you very much, Denise!
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Being in sych with spring is a wonderful thing! I look forward to it every years, and the wonder never palls. I particularly like the close-up of the plum tree blossoms. They’re so beautiful, but they last such a short time!
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Yes, they don’t last for too long. We didn’t have the right timing of rain, sun and visit of bees this year. We had about 50 plums verses 1,100 last year. I looked at the blossoms and hoped to see some bees, but the clover that attracted the bees only open to the sun. They weren’t in sync this year!
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There’s always next year!
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Yes, that’s right, Liz. I planted some Salvia next to the plum tree. Once established, Salvia keeps blooming and attracts bees!
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🙂
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So lovely, Miriam. The photography is extraordinary and your poem sets the tone beautifully. Thank you! ♥
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Thank you, Gwen! 🤗 It was a beautiful garden. Many photographers use it for wedding and other special occasions. My daughter and SIL had their engagement photograph taken there. 💖
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Wonderful photos and lovely poem, Miriam!
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Thank you, Bette. I would like to go back when I visit my daughter again. I’m glad you liked the poem.💖
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Great captures Miriam!!!
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Thank you so much, Paulo!!
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A beautiful ode to spring Miriam — it looks like a glorious garden. I must admit the geese on the path stole my heart
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The garden is beautiful, Tina. The geese were so cute when they took the goslings for a walk!!
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Beautiful poem, Miriam! I love your gorgeous photographs, too. I’m the same when it comes to temperatures. If it’s not 80° or above, I’m freezing!❤️
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You cracked me up, Jill. I’ll take 75° but I’m fuzzier than that because I also want the right humidity. We don’t have A/C., so high humidity keeps me awake. 🙂 ❤
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You’re very particular, Miriam!😉❤️
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Yes, Jill. I’m the Goldilocks. 😀💖
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Gorgeous pictures and poem, Miriam. Loved this post, my friend! ❤ xo
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Thank you, Vashit!! ❤ We're in trouble, CA is on #2 of cases, worse than it all started. I pray for a break. ❤
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Great pictures! And I know what you mean about the white buds staying like that forever. It’s so pretty and to see them blown off seems like some magic is drifting away.
Your poem is wonderful as it describes how a flower grows!
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I’m glad you liked the pictures, Esther. The flowers are so beautiful. Yes, I would like them to stay forever!
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Agree! The life cycle is amazing to observe.
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Yes, it’s fascinating and delicate!
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Your poem is beautiful, Miriam, and I love the garden photos! I wish it was spring all year round 🙂
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Thank you, Jacquie! Some part of the world has a longer spring. We can’t have everything though! 🙂
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