Friday, March 20, 2015

Willy-nilly Random Stuff: Spring? Maybe not...

1.  They say it’s the first day of spring here in the northern hemisphere.  While that may technically be true, it’s snowing here.  So what else is new, eh?  Well, to me that calls for a trip back to the Smith College greenhouse.  Sure it’s snowing out, but I’ve got my memories and my photos of those gorgeous flowers to hold me over until the local thing feels safe to pop its head out of the frozen ground.


2.  I love orchids!  They are such happy flowers.  Before I read the book The Orchid Thief:  A True Story of Beauty and Obsession by Susan Orlean, I had no idea how crazy people could get over a flower.  But when I look at orchids, I can kind of understand it.  By the way, the book is a good read and the movie based (loosely) on the book Adaptation is worth a look, too, in my humble opinion.  I think I have a new favorite orchid and it’s this one:


3.  One of the things I truly love about spending time at a place like the Smith College greenhouse is seeing the grand variety in nature. Apples and oranges...succulents and orchids.  It's all good and it’s nice when people have taken the time to pull all these great elements together.  I appreciate it.


4.  But going from the relatively cool climate of the spring bulbs to the tropical area can cause the camera lens to fog up and the need for a bit of creativity in the photo editing department.


5.  No matter where your hallways lead, I hope you have a great Spring!



Linking up with A Rural Journal's Random Five Friday &


Around Roanoke's Willy-nilly Friday 5.  Thanks, kids!


16 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

sorry about the snow! love the tulip. :)

Unknown said...

well I don't mind another view at this place at all...ditto the tulips but I like em all too. I used to love to go to the Botanical Gardens in Montreal...fantastic greenhouses consisting of different climates from cactii to jungle and the grounds were gorgeous in summer...they have some beautiful places in NS too cause they love their gardens here...prob cause of winter lol!

Brian King said...

Gorgeous color in the first one! I love the lines in the last photo!

Debbie said...

Gorgeous, really gorgeous, we rung in spring with about five inches of snow!!

RobertN said...

Beautiful post!
Have a great weekend!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Absolutely stunning! Is the first one from a parrot bulb?

abrianna said...

I remember being surprised years ago when I learned that people would literally kill for orchids.e them every so often in the grocery store and am tempted to buy one...

Ruffled tulips are my favorites, and that shot fo them is gorgeous.

A Colorful World said...

Wonderful photos! I sure hope the snow abates for you soon so you can really enjoy spring! I read The Orchid Thief years ago!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous shots - I especially like the tulips.

MadSnapper said...

the flowers are gorgeous, and i got a few chuckles while reading about your spring that is not spring but you found it anyway.. my favorite photo is the last one of the hall.. super shot

Anonymous said...

NE has had so much snow this year, I hope you see spring soon. I love that you know where to find flowers--wonderful photos! There are so many orchid varieties. I got one for my neighbor for Christmas, but I should have done my homework. She has cats, and orchids are poisonous. The succulents remind me of some my mom planted in an old oil pan from a car.

Tanya Breese said...

oh i love that tulip! i wonder if we have a greenhouse like that here? i remember we visited one in wisconsin once...it was freezing out with snow on the ground and it was so fun to walk through the warm climates of the greenhouse! thanks for linking and have a great week!!

Tanya Breese said...

oh i love that tulip! i wonder if we have a greenhouse like that here? i remember we visited one in wisconsin once...it was freezing out with snow on the ground and it was so fun to walk through the warm climates of the greenhouse! thanks for linking and have a great week!!

EG CameraGirl said...

Super place to spend the first day of spring, especially when the weather outside looks and feels more like winter.

magda said...

Αγαπημένη μου Barbara.
Πολύ όμορφη ανάρτηση, με εξαιρετικές πολύχρωμες φωτογραφίες της Άνοιξης.
Και στην Ελλάδα, ακόμα δεν ήρθε η άνοιξη.
Κάνει κρύο και βρέχει καθημερινά:(
Στον κήπο όλα πάγωσαν αυτήν την χρονιά.
Χαίρομαι που πήγες στην Νορβηγία, είναι υπέροχη!
Πολλά φιλιά

Unknown said...

'No matter where your hallways lead, I hope you have a great Spring!' :)