Effulgent Season

Spring meadow with wildflowers and sunlight

Last week Jack Frost visited us for the last time until Winter circles around again. Now comes the Big Show of bright colors, dazzling ecology, jubilant skies and warming temperatures…in the Midwest, USA.

Like Autumn changes the woodland landscape into an aura of joyful plumage, Spring brings forth an abundance of vibrant greens littered with magnificent colored buds of trees, shrubs, vines, and of course, flowers.

Migrating birds return to our area in flocks, settling in our shrubs and treetops. Nest building begins and mating ramps up. The tougher species which stay in the area become more active, as do all of the ground dwelling creatures. Life unfolds like a movie reel plays. It is wonderful to behold.

I daily watch the turkey vultures, those huge black winged-scavengers, glide above the woods behind our home. Like the hawks who also soar on wind currents, they fascinate me. I find myself longing to be that free to simply unfurl wings and let the air currents carry me wherever my heart desires to go. Lots of circling from narrow to wider arcs, covering vast amounts of territory in mere minutes. The views must be astounding. The freedom enchanting. Even their shadows create mystical moments while moving across the terrain.

Ah, to be that free and with few worries from predators, seems like a dream. So, I wonder if can I attain this same feeling of freedom and peace while grounded to terra firma? I suppose it’s possible, but too often this sublime feeling eludes me. I don’t dwell on this fact but strive to focus on the here and now…the things I can control.

I can dream, though, and so can you. Similar to the astronauts viewing our planet from space, I find myself amazed at what we call Earth.

IN LIVING COLOR

Now that Spring has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is greening up and flowers are going wild even in such seldom seen places as the dry valleys and hills of California. Tulips become the symbolic icon of this seasonal change from the Netherlands to Washington State and regions in between.

A great deal of labor goes into the planting of these bulbs, as well as the hybridization of petals and colors. Although these photos are taken in a small but well maintained public garden in Kansas City, there are still thousands of these plants made available simply for human pleasure. I salute those who make this scenery available.

This little oasis of flowers are located in the Kauffman Memorial Garden which is located near the Plaza and Nelson Adkins Museum of Art. The Kauffmans were fixtures in Kansas City where Ewing Kauffman founded the Kansas City Royals, a MLB American League team in 1969. Ewing was an astute businessman and entrepeneur who developed Marion Labs which resulted in him becoming a multi-millionaire. He and his lovely wife, Muriel, were heavily involved in educational entrepenurial endeavors, and in the arts. Not long ago, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts was created from their family’s vision and generosity.

Tulips are short-lived, and we were fortunate to catch them at their last week of full bloom, and during pleasant weather. We overhead some folks state that the tulips will be dug up soon and laid aside for the public to take them for free. I didn’t confirm this, however, it doesn’t surprise me due to the Kauffman’s generosity.

The gardens are open most of the year with different species of plants and flowers show-cased. It is a pleasant facility and offers a tranquil environment where it is easy to just wander, marvel, and meditate. The Kauffmans wanted this place to reflect this peaceful vibe and chose their remains to be buried under flat bronze memorials in a corner of the gardens.

Although these gardens are not grandiose compared to many others, but what they lack in size is easily compensated for in beauty and variety. These gardens are a treasure to behold, and I am positive many other cities and parks can boast the same sentiment about their flower gardens.

I hope you enjoyed nature’s splendor made available to all who choose to see it.

Last image for this post. Thanks for visiting !

Field of Yellow Dreams

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We visited this sunflower field yesterday, along with some good friends. It is located approximately 15 miles west of the western edge of Kansas City, near Tonganoxie. The owner / farmer planted a million seeds this year! Ted Grinter and his wife have been growing sunflowers for 30 years and invite the public to view them for free.

 

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To give you an idea of the sunflower’s size, look closely and several people are visible walking in the field of flowers. The average height to top of flower is close to 6 ft.. The subtle change in color (between each field image) reveals the change in natural light. When we arrived just before dawn, it was cloudy and had just rained. Nevertheless, as each minute passed the sky became brighter. We were hoping to catch the sun’s morning rays filter over and into this field, but even though that didn’t occur, the result is still pretty spectacular. What a sight!

 

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Triplets ! The average diameter of these sunflowers is 8 to 10 inches (petal tip to petal tip). The round center averages 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Some leaves are larger than the flowers, and the stalks are 3/4 to 1 inch thick at their base.

 

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For each sunflower cut and taken, the farmer asks for a dollar which is deposited in a container at the field (honor system). Ted reinvests this money in the following year’s crop…or becomes a millionaire if all are taken!

 

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While the face of the flower radiates a sense of joy, the back is more like a piece of poetry as the green petals mimic the yellow. The flowers peaked last week and their beauty will begin to diminish as they slowly discolor and dry up. We, and many hundreds of lucky folk, were blessed to witness such an amazing sight-this field of flowers.

 

 

Nature’s Jubilee !

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Frozen tundra awakens from her slumber
Spring bursts forth like a volcano

Life erupts from seeming stillness
Darkness to light; drab to refulgent

Winter’s browns transform into a kaleidoscope of colors
Wild and free, fragrances flow across the sky

Grass greens, trees bud and flowers sprout
Rains come, sun shines and birds nest

Sowers sow, bees pollinate and the earth responds
Grains top the stems of reeds and seeds appear

The earth rejoices, and God smiles
Nature’s jubilee is on full display