Dance of the Dogwoods

Spring Comes to the Hilltops as Trees Blossom








In the days of black and white film, photographers such as A. Aubrey Bodine would rely on line, composition and contrast to capture the subtleties of the season. This exercise is my attempt to emulate their methodology.

Spring Comes to the Ridgetops

Blossoms Announce the End of Winter


Spring blossoms and new green paint their colors on the landscape.

Rhododendron Flowers in Symmetry

Subtle Beauty in Design in the Spring Garden


A rhododendron blossom creates an elegant composition.

First Iris in the Springtime Garden

Warm Weather Wonder in Full Force


An iris blossom greeted me when I returned from muralling yesterday.

Flight of the Bumblebee

Busy Visitor to the Spring Blossoms Buzzes Along


A bumblebee makes its way over the pine trees.

Emerging Bradford Pear Blossoms

Watching the Tree Outside My Studio Window














Here are a series of photographs taken over the past few days of Springtime through my window.

Springtime Sights in Staunton

Signs of Life Seen Downdown by the Depot


Laurie Gunderson, owner of Appalachian Piecework in the old train station, welcomes visitors to Staunton.


Ox-eye Vineyards' tasting room gets a fresh sign on the brickwork.

Blossoms on St. Patrick's Day

Bradford Pears and Perriwinkle Abloom






It seems like everything is coming alive today. Look who was visiting the perriwinkle!

Iris in the Garden

An Especially Beautiful Spring


The iris are especially beautiful this Spring.

Rhododendron in Morning Light

Sunlight Accents Spring Blossoms


The first rays of morning sun on the rhododendron.

Rainy Morning in the Garden

Spring Colors and Raindrops


Japanese Maple.


Japanese Maple.


Pansies.

Dove and Her Baby in the Nest

Little Birds Grow Fast


Doves in the nest.

Rainy Saturday Morning in the Garden

An Iris Bejewelled with Raindrops and Other Wonders


Iris in the garden.

Nesting Dove in a Pine Tree

The Birds are Settling Into Spring Routines


A nesting dove in the pine tree.


Baby doves.

Mountain Laurel in the Blue Ridge

Spring Comes to the High Ridges

Iris in the Garden

Spring Color Keeps Showing Up Everywhere


Iris blossom.

Showy Iris in Shenandoah Park

Spring Comes to the Mountain


Showy Iris flower.


Mountain Laurel is about to blossom.

More Colors of Springtime Appear

Trees are Leafing Out in Brilliant Colors


Japanese maple leaves emerging.

Truth, Beauty, Order and Why it Matters

Spring Carries a Divine Message for Mankind


Bloodroot.

The woods have beckoned as the warm Spring brings forth signs of new life everywhere. Buds have grown fat and opened up to reveal flowers and leaves. Predictable, yes, Oaks bring forth oak leaves and dogwoods bring forth their familiar flowers. The lifeless brown world of Winter is invaded by color. We know it is coming and we anticipate it.

Likewise our sacred texts tell us that G-d intends to renew the world. Against the world's sensless violence the Master of all things weaves a story of Divine Love and Renewal. It too is predictable. Read the 60th chapter of Isaiah and Revelation 21 and 22.


Dogwood.


Redbud.


Maple.


Oak.

Spring Color Continues to Unfold

The Best Spring Color Seems to Follow Hard Winters


Azalea and bradford pear.