how subtly colorful weeping willows are. in spring, they are this beautiful chartreuse color–a sort of lemony lime. in summer they are fountains of emerald green. by late fall, the branches will darken into a deep golden yellow. right now, though, in early may, they might be at their best.

weeping willow branchlets

turtle lake, saint paul, minnesota

it took a while, but col0r has finally returned to our corner of  north america: red maple buds, chartreuse braids of willow branches, ruby catkins, white magnolias, purple crocuses, green grass, and lemon yellow forsythia. and it’s just the beginning.

forsythia in bloom

my yard, saint paul, minnesota

i got up early to photograph this magnolia bloom.  i still struggle with photographing white subjects on a white background.  it’s tricky.  i thought the soft morning light might help.  i think it did, and i was able to catch this particular bloom in the process of opening up for the day.

magnolia bloom

saint paul, minnesota

i asked my husband if i was posting too many catkins.  he said no, it’s catkin season, and I suppose it is.  i hope you agree with him. everything looks a little wooly right now.

remember those poplar pussy-willow buds i posted two weeks ago?  here is the same tree today.

poplar catkins

rice creek regional trail, saint paul, minnesota

a determined crocus from my yard

saint paul, minnesota