Thursday, March 20, 2014

Skywatch 52


Magnolia blossoms, March 2012
Longenecker Garden * Madison, WI.


We had record setting highs in March 2012 -- a good forty degrees above normal -- which had all the trees and flowers confused. Plants were blooming 6-8 weeks ahead of schedule. While March brought unsual warmth that year, April plunged us back into winter temperatures, making for a rough planting season. This year? While we've had one or two days above normal, the majority of it has been below average -- with at least another two weeks of below normal temps predicted -- and not a single leaf or blossom to be seen.


LINKING TO: Skywatch Friday





23 comments:

DeniseinVA said...

The weather is kind of wacky this winter isn't it? We are expecting more snow next Tuesday. I was kind of hoping we had seen the last of it by now. Beautiful photo! Have a great weekend :)

Anonymous said...

Hope the weather will warm up soon, so you can post your flowers of this year:) Thanks for visiting me. Have you considered on changing at least the last part of your username? It triggered my blog's moderation! When I saw your pic I knew you couldn't be spam, lol.

Heather said...

Denise: Yes, the weather is definitely wacky this year. It's nice to know so many are suffering at the same time, though. It's 50 here today, then back into the 30s for tomorrow. Sigh...

Heather said...

Jeannette: Thank you, I hope the temps even out soon and we start to see stuff blooming. Sorry about the name problem! :-\

Heather said...

Thanks, Leovi!

Janet Shaw said...

Beautiful Shot!

genie said...

Such a pretty capture. I cannot wait for the cherry blossoms in Washington. My niece lives there and I am going to go this year. Whacky weather, indeed. More snow for Tuesday. I am SO PAST WINTER!

Laura said...

gorgeous blossoms remembered Heather.. I am watching as new snow flakes float on spring winds outside my window right now.

Heather said...

Thanks, Janet!

Genie: Thank you. I've heard the cherry blossoms are late-blooming this year. Here's hoping we can say a firm goodbye to Winter soon!

Heather said...

Laura: It was watching the snow come down Wednesday that had me digging into the archives for this one. Warmer days can't be far away!

Ileana: Thank you!

carol l mckenna said...

Beautiful photo of gorgeous flowers and such a blue sky for SWF ~ xxx

artmusedog and carol

TexWisGirl said...

beautiful bloom against the sky!

Alice Audrey said...

Fantastic shot! Such a blue sky.

We aren't anywhere close to having anything bloom yet. Even the grass still looks dead. As much ice as we had this year, I'm not sure it'll all come back.

Carver said...

The flowers are so pretty against the blue sky.

magda in queensland australia said...

Hello Heather, thank you immensely for having visited. Nice to have come here and discovered the photo of those very beautiful Magnolias backlit by such a rich blue sky.

That was a very hot start to Spring in 2012.. may have been confusing for the plants, but those Magnolias look wonderful.

While you're still struggling for Spring to begin this year, it has been a very dry Summer here in Australia... we so desperately need rain, especially for the Farmers. But with Autumn now emerging, any rains that may happen will be too late to see many of the Farmers through Winter.

Last year at the end of January and early February in Queensland, where I am, there was heaps of rain. Even mild flooding in the Township. Alas, Australia is known for it's extremes... it's either in drought or flood or fire, rarely a nice balance happens.

Has been so very interesting reading folks of the Northern Hemisphere discuss how tired they are of the extreme Winter they've been enduring and how slow Spring is in arriving. So much like here when the longing for rain is the topic, or the longing for Summer's heat to be over when it's been extreme like has been this time round for much of Australia.

Apologies for my input being so long. But I have enjoyed my vist.

Stewart M said...

Well, we had our first autumn days here, which means it will be spring with you soon.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Shelley Munro said...

That definitely looks like spring! Love the contrast between pink and blue.

Pearl Maple said...

Delightful photo to celebrate spring, hope your weather settles soon so you can get out and enjoy the sunshine

thomas said...

nice shot

Alexa T said...

Lovely... magnolia branch!
About the forecast (weather) as a issue ... it is so unpredictable worldwide...
Thanks for sharing and thanks, also, for stopping by my blog!

CountryDew said...

Beautiful shot.

eileeninmd said...

Lovely blossoms and sky shot. Have a happy Sunday!

Heather said...

Thanks for all the comments everyone! ☺