It seems like it has been spring here in Southern California for several months. I started to notice buds on trees back in February and then the March rains brought forth even more. Now, in early April, just about everywhere I look, Mother Nature is showing off with displays of colorful blossoms and heady scents.
For her weekly Sunday Stills photo challenge, Terri Webster Schrandt has asked us to “blow up WordPress and the rest of the Internet with gorgeous flowers!” Since most of us are sticking much closer to home, this week’s theme encourages us to find beauty in our neighborhoods, in our yards, or on our balconies.
The pictures that I’m sharing are from my yard and from walks around my neighborhood.
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If you have images of your own, please share them with us by linking to your post on Terri’s blog. As she said, it “will be like we are sending each other wonderful bouquets.”
Retirementally Challenged 
You have beautiful blooms that we don’t get here in the north east.
Yes, I imagine yours are quite different. Most of these are drought tolerant… nothing you have to worry about.
Yeah, gotta know where to look š¤
Sometimes a good photography roadtrip has to be done š
Any excuse to take a roadtrip with my camera is a good one!
Wow, your spring flowers are very different from what we are seeing in the Midwest.
We are enjoying daffodils, forsythia, hyacinths and many flowering trees, such as redbuds and dogwoods.
I bet those are beautiful! I love flowering trees!
Thank you, Janis, for your lovely bouquet of beautiful flowers. We have crocuses, hyacinth, daffodils at the moment.
I hope you share pictures of them, Natalie! I love seeing the different types of blooms throughout the world.
These really cheered me up, Janis! When I visit my daughter in Emerald Hills, her neighborhood has many of these same flowers. Your pics are stunning and I’m so glad you joined Sunday Stills today!
I really love your theme! It encouraged me to notice more around me as I walked around.
Gorgeous blooms.
Thank you! I love this time of year.
How refreshing to see a post without the mention of the virus. Yes, we need to stay aware, but it’s also important not stress about things out of our control. There is only so much we can do. Your photos are stunning. Janis. What a great gift you’ve provided. This was the highlight of my day! Thank you.
Thanks, Jill, Iām glad you enjoyed them. Itās good to remember that Mother Nature is still chugging along despite what we humans are dealing with.
Now, you perked me right up. Thank you. š
Iām glad you enjoyed them! I hope you are getting warmer weather where you live so you are able to get out in your garden.
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Keep the flower pictures coming. Here in Minnesota tiny buds are just beginning to poke up, so we are way, way behind you.
I think our early spring confused some of the budding trees, but I’m happy to see them recovered now and bursting forth!
Your photos are exotic to me. Gorgeous! I’ve been to California only once, and I didn’t see things like these. Thanks for sharing.
Funny to think of them as “exotic” since I grew up in this area, but I imagine they could look that way to others. A couple of them (the grevillea and the pineapple guava) are native to the southern hemisphere.
Your plants are totally foreign to me, making your photos very exciting to my eyes.
Hi, Janis – I knew that photos from your walks and your neighbourhood would be incredible. These shots are absolutely GORGEOUS! Thank you for sharing them.
Thank you, Donna. I’ve been enjoying the pictures you’ve shared of spring bursting forth in your area too!
My favorite is the lemon tree, but they are ALL beautiful. You are way ahead of us, here in North Jersey.
Sent from my iPhone
The lemon blossoms are not only beautiful, they smell amazing too. Best wishes for warmer weather in your area too, Shelley!
The Aloe arborescens are gorgeous.
Thank you. I loved how their orange flowers contrasted against the blue sky.
The lemon blossoms are my favourite! Wonderful composition and lighting… thank you for sharing!
I love how they look like they are made from wax. They smell amazing… no wonder the bees love them š
These wonderful bursts of colour are exactly what I need for my spirits right now (other than actual spirits š).
My walks are still dull and brown but itās coming!!
It must be inspiring to watch the changing landscape as winter turns into spring in your area. First, just a few hints, then a complete transformation. We don’t have that stark contrast here.
It actually feels like magic – each and every year. I never tire of it š
Wowsa! Your flower photos are a balm for sore eyes. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing them here.
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Ally! It’s so nice to see spring bursting forth.
Let the flowers bloom and hope grow. That is the proper attitude in these troubling times, Janis.
Hi Peter! I think getting out in nature is the best way to assure ourselves that life goes on and this too shall pass. I hope you are doing well and that the beauty of spring is starting to arrive in your area too!
The Grevillea and Guava made me squeal with delight. Time in nature is the best way to stay sane.
Both are native to the southern hemisphere so I imagine you’ve seen them before on your journeys. Are you getting out and about in La Paz? Will we see pictures soon?
Honestly, we are remaining primarily boat bound. New measures being put in place will only permit one person from a household at a time out to do shopping or exercising. As I have been blessed by years or full on travel, I am enjoying catching up with friends, writing, organizing my photo portfolio, and learning new things. Somehow, keeping the boat in ship-shape has not made it onto my daily list of activities, but I’ll be needing to do that soon š
Gorgeous photos, and such a lovely topic! It’s only forsythia and daffodils here, and those tiny bluets that are so sweet. Here in New England, we’re a good two months behind California, because we do have buds on the trees — especially that pretty pale green of the willows. No problem with drought here! But I remember that from my grad-student days in Palo Alto — baths with no soap so that we could use the water to keep our shrubs alive!
The landscape is so different here. People have replaced their lawns with drought tolerant plants. Fortunately, I love succulents and enjoy their incredible variety and gorgeous blooms. We are getting a lot of rain this season… and the plants are very happy!
Hey Janis! See….there is tons of beauty in your neighborhood. But I get you were saving these gorgeous photos for your blog rather than FB. Your photos are beautiful! ~Kath
Oh, thanks for the nudge. I guess I need to remember to post some of my walk pictures to FB. š
I think under our current situation, so many people are exploring nature now whether in their yards, or in neighboring natural areas, or simple walks down the street. I love that folks have time to literally stop and examine beauty and even take a photo for tangible remembrance.
We see a few people when we are out walking. Everyone seems to be maintaining their distance (I usually cross the street when I can) but most smile a “hello.” It’s nice to get out and remind ourselves of nature’s beauty.
Absolutely.
Those really are beautiful, Janis. And who can’t find some solace in a Lady Bird Johnson quote at the moment. Well chosen. – Marty
Thanks, Marty! I really liked that quote… it seemed very appropriate to the times (both spring and our current crisis).
So beautiful! We donāt have anything like that amount of colour yet.
Well, judging from your pictures from springs past, it will happen soon. It will be so nice when we can get out and gallivant freely again.
You sure are experiencing a glorious spring, Janis! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Well, that was yesterday. Today it is blustery and raining. Fingers crossed that the blossoms will still be on the trees and bushes when the wind dies down š
Wow, such magnificent colours! We are just seeing the early signs of spring here. The grass is starting to green, the trees are just coming out in bud, the tulips are popping up. Looking forward to seeing the transformation & leaving winter behind!
I hope you will share some pictures when spring has truly sprung in your area! We can all use an infusion of color.
Iām on it Janis!š
Such eye-candy! Do you have a Jacaranda tree nearby? I love their purple blooms.
Yes we do, but they typically bloom between May and July. I will try to remember to post some pictures when that happens. They really are magnificent.
I’ll be looking forward to your photos, then!
Thanks for the uplifting photos, Janis. During these confining times, while we are all staying home or out on neighborhood walks, it is good to be reminded of how much natural beauty there is all around us. It doesn’t get much better than your dazzling Southern California spring, where everything seems to be in bloom.
Hi Joe! We have gotten so much rain lately that the plants (and weeds) are doing the happy dance. Although most plants around here are drought tolerant, they really do prefer regular irrigation. I hope you are enjoying your spring also!
That was one heck of a storm! Here in Reno, we got some snow out of it. Have a great weekend!
How beautiful Janis – it will be months til I see the likes of these blooms around here, despite the early show of crocuses and snowdrops. The daffodils have opened but we have such a torrential rain out there for the third time today, likely the daffodils are looking bedraggled by now. I may live in a four-season state, but it does not mean I like the absence of flowers 3/4s of the year!
It breaks my heart when new blooms get pummeled by hard rain or high winds. We’ve had both here recently – especially some crazy wind – and some of the blooms have been blown away. Fortunately, the sun is out now so things are definitely looking up! I hope you are still doing well!
Janis – it seems to me once the magnolia blossoms come out, there is either a heavy rain, or more likely a windy day and they scatter all over the lawn – I hate it too. Well I got through last night’s potentially severe storm and we have a Round 2 tonight arriving in the coming hour. I am not staying up as late tonight (I was concerned whether to go to the basement) – this is not a dangerous storm. I am well otherwise, but have not walked this week – mostly it’s been bad weather but I thought it was prudent not too as they said this was our “peak week” – now I am hearing rumors we may be on a stay-at-home rule through the end of April as the latter part of April will be our peak. I will dwell on it though, as I miss walking, not just for steps but to clear my mind.
Beautiful collection of flowers, Janis! Iāve always loved California for its plethora of natural colors in the form of flowers. On our walks here in South Carolina Iāve only seen two kinds of blooming flowers: purple ones (apparently wild irises) and tiny white ones.
I bet the South Carolina flowers will be coming out a little later and then they’ll be magnificent. I haven’t spent a lot of time there, but my memory is that there are a lot of colorful blossoms. I don’t know how long you will be there, but I hope you can see some of them.
Not much longer. We need to get out of here – too uncomfortable and we canāt overstay our welcome in this park. But we will be in time to see the spring blooms in Massachusetts.
Awesome. Oh to be living in California!
Despite the song, it DOES rain in Southern California… and it’s pouring right now. I hope the blooms on the fruit producing trees and bushes are still there after this š
Its really wonderful to see those flowers
Iām glad you enjoyed them. Spring is bursting out everywhere here.
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Hi Janis, I have started reading posts in the middle of the night and too dark to comment. Reviewing my emails and I wanted to let you know how the bright, colourful flowers immediately lift my spirits. Perfect, poignant quote. Looking forward to connecting with you, as always. xx
I guess reading blogs in the middle of the night is more productive than staring at the ceiling, which is what I’ve been doing š . I’m glad you liked the flowers!
The Lemon blossoms were my favorite in this series, but the Guava came in a very close second. It’s lovely.
Those blossoms are so beautiful! They are like little wax sculptures.
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Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by!
The photos are beautifully taken. The colours are so vibrant, really capture my eye. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you for your comment!
You’re most welcome! š
Wonderful shots, these are gorgeous!
Spring is the best time to be a nature photographer, in my opinion.
So much liveliness š
I love spring too… and this was has been especially nice since we got a lot of rain. Even my low-water succulents are doing a happy dance.
These are just gorgeous, Janis, and their hopefulness have been soothing to me this spring. I did a similar post. I think many people are leaning towards the inspiring blooms this year. Have a good evening, Lauren
Hi Lauren! It is comforting to know that, even though the human world is in turmoil, the natural world continues along just fine (maybe better).
Definitely!
I remember the beauty of the flowering shrubs and gardens in Southern California. Now that I have moved to Vancouver Island, I revel in the glorious blooms we have here.
Jude
I’d love to see VI in the spring… I bet it’s gorgeous. We’ll just have to make another trip up there when all is clear.
Janis,
Beautiful work…you have a gift for composition. What a blessing to live in a neighborhood surrounded by those flowers. My son and his family live in one of the beach towns in LA County, and I’m always amazed at flowers there, particularly the roses. Thanks for sharing! Joe
Thank you! I love seeing the different bushes, trees, and flowers from all over the world. I feel very lucky that almost anything grows here… as long as it doesn’t need a ton of water š