Some Floyd friends went down-mountain, newcomers to full-time living in the mountains, recent transplants from much warmer, flatter climes. They discovered how far ahead Roanoke is compared to Floyd County in bud-and-bloom dates.
“There are leaves coming out on the trees there!” they discovered with delight–a change of seasons in a 30 mile trip.
This reminded me of how much I love the soft, translucent greens of late April, and don’t think I ever saw them more wonderfully displayed than from the top of Buffalo Mountain a few springs back.
We’ll miss a good bit of that verdant transformation, travels carrying us away for far too much of bud-and-bloom. But I’ll know fully what is happening back home, coming back to this image and memory to make it real.
Feel the warm wind on this mountain ridge that lifts the smell of green? Click the image to enlarge.
Those soft, translucent greens have made their appearance in Raleigh this week, and yesterday, mr. kenju and I drove around town to see that, as well as the dogwoods and azaleas which are in full bloom here now. It’s my favorite month in Raleigh.
Fred, this will be our first spring in the mountains and we’re really looking forward to it. We’re already sleeping with the balconey door open!
Thanks for sharing all your great pics with us.
Your photography is amazing!
Your photographs are exceptional. I was so happy to see the photographs.
Nature’s first green is gold. Or so I hear.
Nate-Robert Frost