Lilac and Peony Season

I like all things lilacs - the color, the flowers, especially the heady fragrance. I did a quick search on the blog for the word “lilac” and it turns out I’ve churned out many images and words over the years with similar sentiment. I always find time to capture their spring blooms and this year is no different.

 

 
After an overnight frost warning, tiny dew drops formed on our lilac bush as the morning sun melted away the thin film of rime. The cold didn’t damage the flower buds, instead leaving glittering spectacle that caught my eye (while I was washing some dishes!).

 

 
Growing up, I associated the lilac with my birthday at the end of May, their blooms coinciding with each passing year. In Illinois, they bloom earlier so my birthday flower has been supplanted by the equally beautiful peony. The early varieties started blooming in the last week or so. Locally, Allerton Park showcases peonies in a massive garden so I headed there last weekend, hopeful to catch a beautiful sea of blooms.

 

 

 

 
The cooler weather slowed the emergence of blooms so the garden has not peaked yet. This merely means I will visit again in the coming weeks - I’ll probably visit at least two more times!

 

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April's First Blue Bells

Last April I posted about the Wild flowers spotted along the forest floor - nature moving right along in spite of external circumstances like a global pandemic, signaling warmer days ahead

 

 
Here we are, a year later, and still experiencing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, although it feels like we continue to move forward to a "new normal" - lighter days ahead. Of course, nature forges on, showing us beauty at every turn.

 

 
Last year was the first time I experienced the sea of spring blue bells available locally for our enjoyment. I wondered how I let such beauty pass by in all my years foraging through the forest preserves. I then realized past Aprils' were consumed by long distance training runs on roads and subsequent races. Without these diversions, I discovered a wondrous and fleeting new world. So, I have the pandemic to thank for that discovery.

 

 
Armed with the knowledge that "Blue Bell season" would soon emerge, I scoured local social media for clues. The blue bells came earlier this year - nudged ahead by a few warm days. I didn't want to miss out on the show, so I headed out on a rainy Sunday morning for my first blue bell encounter of the year. I even convinced two friends to join me in spite of the cold rain.

 

 
We spotted blue, pink, lavender and even white versions of the nodding flower.

 

 

 

 

 
Proof we were there:

 

 
Over an hour later, we retreated to the comfort of our cars - cold and wet, but hearts full.

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April 2021 Free Calendar Download - White Blue Bells

Spring flowers abound in April's calendar - featuring the quintessential Blue Bell (even though this one is white!). They spread abundantly along the low lands near water in late April. I have plans to find them again this year.

 
To download March's calendar, click on this link from Box.com
Link --> April Calendar 2021 - White Blue Bells

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Class of 2021 - Centennial Champaign Boys Soccer

Normally played in the fall, high school boys soccer, like all fall sports in Illinois, got pushed out due to pandemic. Practice starts this week and I had the pleasure of photographing the senior members of our local team. The Soccer Boosters feature the seniors at home games with poster sized marquees. Most seniors have played all four years so it’s a nice way of acknowledging their hard work through the years. And here are the Class of 2021 Varsity Boys Soccer team members.

 

 
Henry - the son of my good friend, Jill. Jill asked me to take the photos.

 

 
Keeper Tyson shows off his cat-like reflexes:

 

 

 
Emphraim was featured in the local paper today

 

 

 

 
Jeremiah:

 

 

 
Noah:

 

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March 2021 Free Calendar Download - Sunrise

 
March entered central Illinois like a lamb, warm and Spring-like, melting the snow from our mid-February blizzard and with that, erasing the storm with its brutal cold conditions from our memory. My husband brought the grill out from hibernation so I'm hoping winter won't give us one last blast.

 

 
This month's free calendar features a sunrise photo I took last March while walking, fresh into Covid lockdown that no one ever thought would still be around a year later. Even though we haven't fully emerged from the impact of the pandemic, the air feels hopeful, much like the warm spring weather.

 

 
To download March's calendar, click on this link from Box.com
Link --> March Calendar 2021 - Sunrise over Lake

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The Boulder Flatirons - Chautauqua Hiking

I almost labeled this for Fence Friday, but the snow capped mountains command this scene - at least they do for me.

 

 
I took the opportunity to travel to Colorado with a local running friend whose daughter lives in Boulder. While the temperatures only hovered in the single digits (Fahrenheit!), the sun reflecting off the powery snow kept us warm while hiking the trails. My friend appologized for the non-ideal conditions, but I would rather hike in the beauty of a snowy forest than a more typical green one. Another upside - not many hikers on the trail, perfect in this time of social distancing; I find solitude adds to the magic of the crystalline snow globe. We accessed the trails from Chautauqua Park, hiking the Chautauqua and Flat Irons trails, crossing back along the Bluebird Mesa Trail as seen on this trail map.

 

 
Maybe I'll get to experience these trails again during the warmer months. Even so, I'm glad we got out despite the bitter cold.

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February 2021 Free Calendar Download - Snowy Trail

 
Winter is in full swing in Central Illinois - the beginning of February greated us with a winter storm and fresh snow. So I find it appropriate that this month's calendar download features a similar snowfall from last year. I personally like fresh snow and enjoy taking in the beautiful forest trail. The fresh snow buffers ambient noises, allowing a peaceful experience.

 

 
To download February's calendar, click on this link from Box.com
Link --> February Calendar 2021 - Snowy Trail

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