A Month of Marching Contrasts

A host of shining daffodils — *Daffodils come crowding in as March bursts in*

March is a strange month – one foot in winter and one foot in spring.

Sudden snow covers the garden — *A sudden coat of snow*

If the sun shines you can really feel the warmth. Turning to face the sun, you can feel the rays caressing your cheek like a gentle blessing. Spring blossom cascades over hedgerows, brightening twigs that have long looked drab over the winter months.

A cascade of blossom on grey twigs — *White blossom brightens the hedgerows*

‘Take note of the courageous daffodils that emerge no matter what the weather throws at them. Now is the time to push our own heads up and out of the soil in the knowledge that we are deeply rooted. It’s time to dare to share our calling with the world, to take risks and journey forth.’ (Louise Press)

A clump of daffodils emerges bavely from the soil — *Brave daffodils emerge from winter’s hard soil*

Plants, bushes and trees put forth tentative shoots and blossom buds – but then, as one writer has said, – ‘March responds carelessly, brutishly, showering them one day in snow, the next in rain, then in warm, glowing, impossibly gorgeous sunshine, then in snow again.’

Solitary figure fighting a way through the snow — *A figure trudges through a sudden fall of snow*

But perhaps the animal kingdom has more faith – March sees the birds beginning to nest.

A bird brings food back to the nest for hungry mouths — *Birds build intricate nests for raising their broods*

Early lambs will be let out into the open.

Young lambs are let out into the open. — *Lambs explore the great outdoors*

Truly, the beginning of spring is gentle and violent; chilly and balmy; joyous and fiercesome. Truly a month of contrasts.

Tulips and boots - symbols of the contrary nature of spring. — *What will spring hold in store for you?*