A Touch of Spring

Springtime at South Mountains State Park

Here in the Piedmont of NC spring has been springing for several weeks, and we are almost into early summer.  The dogwood have been out for a week and the hardwoods are unfurling their new leaves.

Springtime at South Mountains State Park

Several weeks ago Kathy & I visited South Mountains State Park for a little hiking and sightseeing.  The park is west of Charlotte, about halfway to the “real” mountains, and a slightly higher elevation, so spring was a couple of weeks behind us here.

Springtime at South Mountains State Park

One thing I love about spring is looking through the woods and seeing just the hint of green.  I think that “Spring Green” is a shade of color unique to new growth leaves, and to me it speaks as much about the seasons as the fall colors do about fall.  Coupled with redbud and the occasional other early bloomers, they make for a hopeful sight after the gray of winter.

Springtime at South Mountains State Park

These photos won’t do much to show off my nature photography skills, but they do a reasonable job of showing the spring that we saw as we explored the park.

Springtime at South Mountains State Park

10 thoughts on “A Touch of Spring”

  1. I’m noticing all the changes that come with this time of the year. Tulips are making an appearance. Robins are greeting us each morning. Grass is greening up. The sun rises earlier. Wonderful series of images. And, I see nothing wrong with your nature photography skills. 🙂

    1. But Monte, I didn’t use a tripod, or a macro lens or a polarizer or focus stacking or a cable release! How could it be a good photo? 🙂 Nah, actually I just took some pictures to memorialize the experience without working that hard. Just the way nature should be, sometimes. Glad spring is coming your way. Right now we’ve got a spring thunderstorm headed our way – time to batten down the hatches!

  2. Very cool set of images Tom. Especially for someone who doesn’t get to experience such dramatic seasonal changes. When all you get is two seasons (one hot and one less hot) and everything stays green and flowery all year, it’s nice to see what others get to experience. So thanks for your efforts.

    1. Thank you, Cedric. I’m thankful that our winters here are generally brown and not snow-covered, and that our “hot” is probably akin to your “less hot.” But we definitely do have a 4-season climate. The transition from winter to spring is a welcome sight, and that green cast we get from the new leaves is a good sign.

  3. I can’t believe that you’d post photos taken without a tripod and cable release and call them “Nature” photos. The nerve! 😉

    A bit closer to home, I like McDowell Nature Preserve. As it’s close to my house, I visit it often and it’s certainly showing signs of spring! The wildflowers are starting to pop along side the trails.

  4. I know that green you describe that first emerges in the woods. Very much like in your 3rd photo here when blooms just start to erupt – that view you captured is one of my favorite things about spring time. That view is so short lived though, maybe 2 weeks if that around here before the full foliage takes over.

    1. You’re right, Mark. That green doesn’t stick around long and you definitely have to catch it while it’s happening.

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