Sun in the hellebores, and a forget-me-not sky. Not a cloud in sight, only a passing aircraft unzipping the blue. And, for heaven’s sake, it was warm enough to sit outside for morning coffee; nor did we need coats when we walked into town at lunch time. Along the verges the celandines were as wide as wide; birds twittering; butterflies flitting. In the Cutlins field we found there had been a multiplication of highland cattle: parents and calf have joined the three teens. They were all quietly grazing and munching out in the sun. At the foot of the path by the priory ruins the air was drenched with mahonia scent, and around the town there was a dreamy sense of the world just waking up, tree buds swelling and crocus out on parade.
But then as the countryman poet John Clare warns, February can be a treacherous month. Out of the blue comes blissful weather and everyone is out and about and thinking of summer. And then…and then…
Here’s an extract from the poem, for though rather florid for my taste it captures the day so perfectly, and tonight there may indeed be frost:
The sunbeams on the hedges lie,
The south wind murmurs summer-soft;
The maids hang out white clothes to dry
Around the elder-skirted croft:
A calm of pleasure listens round,
And almost whispers winter by;
While Fancy dreams of summer’s sound,
And quiet rapture fills the eye.Thus Nature of the spring will dream
While south winds thaw; but soon again
Frost breathes upon the stiffening stream,
And numbs it into ice: the plain
Soon wears its mourning garb of white;
And icicles, that fret at noon,
Will eke their icy tails at night
Beneath the chilly stars and moon.
Excerpt of February from The Shepherd’s Calendar by John Clare (1793-1864)
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So as I said to Graham as we drowsed happily on the garden bench, staring at the cloudless sky, coffee mugs in hand: better soak up the bliss while we can then. Carpe diem, says Graham.
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And I suppose now I’ve mentioned the Highland calf I’d better show him to you, not at all close up, but the sun on his nose and hints of green in the willow behind:
copyright 2019 Tish Farrell
Lens-Artists: Close up This week Ann-Christine set the challenge. Please also pay the other Lens Artists a visit:
Lens-Artist Photo Challenge Patti: Close-Up
Tish Farrell 
Such a blissful post – I wish I were there – in the “maybe spring” feeling and your lovely garden. Thank you for a sunny, close-up view of life!
Thank you for popping over to my garden, Ann-Christine, if only in the virtual sense 🙂
If I ever come by your garden, I might knock on your door…;-D
That would be lovely 🙂
A wonderful post describing beautifully the day and also the likelihoods of more blasts of cold air….however as Graham says…Carpe Diem 🙂 Enjoy at least another couple of days to come. janet.
It has been amazing for Feb, hasn’t it, but pretty frosty at night though.
Carpe diem, indeed, Tish 🙂 🙂 I can picture you two dozing. Love that unzipping the skies image. Sending hugs xx
Hugs gratefully received and reciprocated, Jo 🙂
Great post, Tish
Thank you, Sue 🙂
😊😊
Airplane blue sky is what my young son used to call such a beautiful clear blue sky. And you are right…Best not get too excited about the warm weather.
Definitely no abandoning of the under layers just yet, Beverly. I like your son’s description ‘airplane blue sky’. Spot on.
Quite lovely and beautiful images. 🙂
Many thanks.
Brilliant
Thank you.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Kendall.
Welcome, Tish!
Ah… spring flowers and warm sun. Thank you, Tish for sharing with us. 🙂
My pleasure, Amy 🙂
So even John Clare knew the falsity of a February Spring – oh let not the stream stiffen! enjoying the warmth of your photos Tish – the hellebore leaves have the look of a parasol
That’s a lovely notion, Laura – a hellebore parasol
Beautiful blossoms Tish, yes we must gather the rosebuds while we can!
Definitely must, Tina 🙂
Delightful post Tish. Love the Hellebore captured with the light. I have certainly enjoyed this weather, a shame it won’t last until October!
Now that would be blissful, Jude! Wind and rain on Thurs.
Simply beautiful 💕
Many thanks 🙂
Lovely February bliss, Tish! Beautiful pictures dipped in rich language I always enjoy! I felt the whiff of spring in the air.
So happy to send you a bit of English spring, Helen. We have it for one more day so the weathermen say, then it’s back to the cold. Ah well.
Lovely Tish. I like the japonica buds so plump with promise. As you say, you may be enjoying what turns out to be what one might call an ‘Indian spring’, but good to make the most of it.
Thank you, Carol. I was very taken with the japonica too.
February has been all over the place here too, so whenever there’s a chance of collecting some ‘beams’ we’re both out on the back patio, sitting (on our folding chairs) among the remnants of the most recent snowfall, just soaking up that sun. 😀
That’s a lovely warming image – out collecting beams.
😀
Reblogged this on Hutt's New World Order.
Many thanks, Pete.
Such beautiful hellebore photos! And I enjoyed a little burst of poetry.
Hellebores are such lovely plants, but I never seem to find the right place to show them at their best. Definitely need a bank of some sort.