Lens-Artists Challenge #241 – Spring
“Does the robin sing because the cold of winter is leaving or the warmth of spring is coming? Or might he be singing because each without the other would lessen both?”
Craig D. Lounsbrough
Although our followers may have seen many versions of my opening image, I’ve chosen it to open my post about spring because to me it illustrates exactly what we love about the season. Our earliest blossoms, the beautiful purple wisteria are draped over the corner of the bridge while another of spring’s earliest arrivals, the azaleas, are reflected in the water below. The scene is from nearby Magnolia Gardens, as is this week’s header. It’s a local ritual to visit the gardens every spring to capture nature at her absolute best.
Back home on Kiawah nature also makes a wonderful showing, including that of the two images that follow.
“Spring – a fairy land of imagination where flowers bloom with joy, butterflies fly with song, and love dances with love.”
Debasish Mridha
“Spring is made of solid, fourteen-karat gratitude, the reward for the long wait.”
Barbara Kingsolver
Beyond the beauty of our spring flowers and the insects that thrive on them, today I’m focused on the arrival of the newborn chicks that will be added to the local bird population. I was privileged to visit a nearby nesting site several years ago and am including some images from that day. Unfortunately the birds have moved on but these images are among my all-time favorites so I love to revisit them as a reminder of spring’s magic.
“A bird is safe in its nest – but that is not what its wings are made for.”
Amit Ray
Today’s images are various varieties of herons, including egrets. The site had hundreds of nests, many of them at eye-level. The nesting area was on private property surrounded by fences so the birds obviously felt quite safe. The site also had a very large water element providing them access to water and small fish for feeding. The avian wonderland was made available to me through a good friend who is related to the property’s owner.
“When the universe wants to communicate, it sends a dream. If the dreamer is awake, it sends a bird.”
Michael Bassey Johnson
Above, I’ve included a nest of blue heron chicks. Blue herons are IMHO among the most beautiful of birds. We watch them with delight as they glide gracefully over our local lagoons and ponds, their great wings carrying them perfectly to their destination. It’s hard to believe that the creatures above will one day become such amazing specimens! Like the yellow-beaked chicks in the previous image, they will mature quickly thanks to their doting parents and the safety of their carefully-chosen surroundings. The birds in the image below are just a week or two older that those above and already one can better imagine what they will one day become,
“Not a single bird makes its first leap from a tree without faith.”
Suzy Kassem
The Suzy Kassem quote above reminded me of watching these little creatures bravely attempt their first efforts to fly. The chick below was definitely fortunate to have been caught in the branches of its chosen tree rather than in the waters below!
“Blessed be the Lord for the beauty of summer and spring, for the air, the water, the verdure, and the song of birds.”
Carl Linnaeus
I’ll close with my favorite subject of the day, a juvenile blue heron. He was fiercely guarding his smaller brothers and sisters in a nearby nest. I just loved the hairdo that looked like an exact replica of the nest being guarded!
“To be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring – these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”
John Burroughs
Thanks to Sofia for the opportunity to revisit some of my favorite images of spring. Here on Kiawah nature cannot seem to make up her mind. Warm one week, cool the next, spring seems to be struggling to maintain a foothold. That said, I have every confidence she will return as always. We hope you’ll join us this week with your own thoughts and images of spring – or whatever season you may be entering these days. Remember to link your post to Sofia’s magical original here and to use the Lens-Artists Tag.
Thanks also to John for last week’s challenge – The (Photography) Road Most Often Taken. How interesting it was to see everyone’s favorite styles and genres! We look forward to seeing the seasons through your responses this week. Anne will lead us next week after returning from her amazing travels so be sure to visit her Slow Shutter Speed site. Until then as always stay safe, be kind and enjoy the journey!
Interested in joining the Lens-Artists challenge? Click here for more information.
Travels and Trifles 
Such amazing gallery.
Thanks Rupali
OMW – those baby birds are rockin the feathers and down – ha! Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
Thanks Tyler – appreciate the visit and your fun comment!
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So so gorgeous, Tina! The heron chicks are great fun, hilarious hairdo’s and the glimpse in the eye. And your bridge… breathtakingly beautiful.
Many thanks Ann-Christine. Springtime here, although very brief, can be magical. Somehow it’s wedged between our (thankfully) brief winters and VERY long summers!