Spring Declared Open

Every year, when then the winter finally loses it's grip, it is fun for the children (and adults) to hunt for the first signs of spring. Here in... more

by Martin Howard

Title

Spring Declared Open

Artist

Martin Howard

Medium

Photograph

Description

Every year, when then the winter finally loses it's grip, it is fun for the children (and adults) to hunt for the first signs of spring. Here in Sweden, one of the first flowers to appear, is the Tussilago or Coltsfoot. These bright yellow, daisy-like flowers burst out from thick stems with a single bud that almost looks like something from an 'Alien' film. They are quite unusual in that they do not have any leaves. The plant does have leaves but not until the summer by which time the flowers are long gone. There is such a long gap between the flowers and the leaves that most people don't even realise that they come from the same plant. In the summer the plant is usually dismissed as a weed with lots of large leaves and no flowers, but it is the spring when the Tussilago is in it's glory. When the first flower is spotted then spring can finally be declared open.

Featured Photograph:
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Visions Of Spring 03/31/2015

Macro Photography Group 03/31/2015

Uploaded

July 23rd, 2014