Before The Bloom

I feel a little silly running around with my camera in the beginning of February, when there is "nothing" to photograph. But upon closer inspection, there is always something afoot in the plant world, even at this time of year, the dark-before-the-dawn of Spring. 

There has finally been enough rain to water the moss and grass under this thickly woven Juniper Tree:

In the crisp air, the Juniper berries smell delicious. I had to pick some to put in my pockets, and got their sticky sap all over my hands, so I got to smell them all day long!

 

 

This Manzanita is already thinking about flowering! Look at the beginnings of the buds:

 

Ceanothus, shooting out new green growth (on the left), framed against the sinuous branches of its neighbor Manzanita.

 

Rocks don't care what season it is, though they look lovely and shiny in the rain, like stones in the water at the beach. These rocks are enjoying a brief day without showers, but the green serpentine seems to glow from within!

 

Comments

[marleah]

that first pic is STUNNING!!! xoxo

[andi]

what's all this about sleeping muses? these are beautiful images, and totally inspiring! (almost) makes me like winter in the foothills - the muted colors are so pretty, and quiet, and sleepy-calm...

[heather]

i love the way you think. these are gorgeous...you must live right by the forest?

[lilithsapothecary]

These photos are gorgeous!

[Violet Folklore]

Umm, I did NOT know juniper trees grew here! I want some berries! Some of the manzanitas at our place have tiny buds already :-)