Saucer Magnolias © 2013 Patty Hankins

When I think about the wonderful day last spring when I photographed this Saucer Magnolia Tree – all I can do is smile. It was one of those perfect spring mornings – clear blue skies — a gentle breeze — birds singing — and beautiful pink & white blossoms. If I close my eyes – I can still smell the fragrance of the flowers and hear the birds.

In many ways spring for me is about all the wonderful colors I’m seeing. Instead of the cold gray skies and bare trees of winter – once spring arrives I’m photographing colors. Whether it’s the bright blue sky, a yellow daffodil, a pink cherry or magnolia blossom, a purple iris, or the pale green of leaves starting to bud, the world is suddenly full of colors which are a very welcome sight after the long winter.

This year the spring is arriving later in the Washington DC area than it has the past few years. Instead of photographing bluebells, trout lilies and cherry blossoms in March, I’ve been photographing the daffodils, hyacinths and pansies. The cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin are expected to peak on April 3-6 (about two weeks later than last year). The trout lilies, bloodroot, spring beauty, dutchman’s breeches and bluebells are just starting to appear. One nice thing is – as they bring their beautiful soft colors to the woods – the tulips will be bringing bolder shades of red, yellow and orange in the local gardens. So there will be a wonderful variety of colors and flowers to photograph in the coming weeks.

Is there a color you associate with the coming of spring? For me – it really is the pinks on the cherry and magnolia trees blooming.

Saucer Magnolias is my April 2013 Photo of the month. Until April 30, SAVE 20% off the regular prices for Saucer Magnolias.