It’s too warm for crocus

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It’s just plain too warm today to get excited about crocuses, but here they are, the first ones in my yard. Oh yeah, and the snowdrops are looking very happy. Warm, cold, they don’t seem to care. They have flowering to do!

Three little snowdrop maids are we

Three snowdrops of many

Three little snowdrop maids are we,
Shaking our bells of fantasy.
Open your eyes and you will see
Three little snowdrop maids.

One little maid shakes off the snow.
Two little maids sway to and fro.
Three little maids trade what we know.
Three little snowdrop maids.

We open our petals to greet the sun.
The cloudiest days are just as fun,
With cheery white smiles for everyone.
Three little snowdrop maids.

Awakening bees you must be bold.
Spring will melt the winter’s cold.
Come to us now and you’ll behold
Three little snowdrop maids.
Three little snowdrop maids!

First snowdrop to say, Hi!

First snowdrop of the year

Even in midwinter, especially in midwinter, the snowdrops are popping up.

Oblivious snowdrops

Snowdrops spread their wings again

The snowdrops are looking much happier today.  It always looks to me like little white wings spreading open and taking their ease, so much that “snowdrops spread their wings” sets off a cliché alert.  I could swear I’ve used that phrase before, but maybe I always deleted it before.  Well, I’m saying it now, just to get it out of my system.

As for the snowdrops themelves, I think they’re way too relaxed. There’s all sorts of melting and dripping going on, but the snowbanks don’t look any smaller to me.

Something ain’t adding up. Or subtracting.

Ice and Snowdrops

Icy snowdrops

Cold day, cold day, cold day, melty day, cold day. The only sign of spring coming is the sunset rushing later into the day.  All of a sudden, it’s bright out at four in the afternoon. But it’s still so icy out, even the snowdrops are droopy.

Ignore the deluge

Snowdrops beckoning spring

It’s wet out there today. As in repeated flood warnings wet. So here’s a few snowdrops from a few sunny days ago. I hope the snowdrops are enjoying the rain. They can have it.

Snow? No. Snowdrops

Slightly more snowdrops

It snowed this morning. Then it stopped. Then it snowed again. Then it stopped. Then it snowed really hard. Then it stopped. And it melted. And the sun came out.

But wait! The sky clouded over. The wind blew. It was freaking cold out!

Do the snowdrops care?

Awaited snowdrops

Snowdrops saying "Ta-da!"

Snowdrops! That was quick!

These are actually on a slightly more snow-covered patch of ground. But they’re up.

Snowdrops!

Waiting for snowdrops

Usually I see the first snowdrops in mid- to late January. Usually the rest are flowering by now.  But this year, I guess the lack of snow cover is making them reluctant. The ground has been bare and hard and cold for weeks on end. Even today, after a few inches of wet snow came down, the snowdrop patch is bare again.

But look at all that! When the snowdrops finally flower, there’s going to be lots.

Garden buddies

Just enjoying the springlike activity in the garden, not just the snowdrops multiplying and spreading, but the trees and bushes budding out.

Blueberry buds

A snowdrop spreads its wings

A fuzzy peach bud