Willow Yellow

This week's theme for Photo Hunt is "yellow".

This is one of Mother Nature's little wonders.
I took some macro pictures every few weeks, from mid Winter until today.
I thought it would be interesting to share the progress of a tiny Pussy Willow.

Before I started taking macro's, I had no idea.
The first one was taken mid Winter.

A few weeks later on in the season, the furry hairs start to grow longer,

as they turn pink ...

until suddenly a little yellow starts to shimmer through .

Then I discovered hundreds and hundreds of tiny little flowers growing out of the furry hairs.

And only a few days later they look like bottle brushes!


If you click on this one, you can even see the pollen.

Ruby Tuesday, Ladybug

For this week's edition of Ruby Tuesday, Mary suggested us to go "green" in honour of St. Patrick's day. I'm more than happy to oblige. I think I've got just the thing.
This is the very first ladybug I've seen this Spring, ain't she cute?


Find more Ruby Tuesday pictures here.

Macro Monday and a Secret Wish

Before I show you my Macro Monday post, there is something I want to talk about.
You see, there is this secret wish on my "bucket list".
But in keeping it secret, there's no chance it's ever going to come true, so there ...

My wish is to maybe one day meet some of the friends I've met in this blogosphere.
Welcoming you in Belgium and showing my country would be one step,
another one would be to travel and meet people myself.
One of the places to be to meet a lot of bloggers is the upcoming BlogHer event in Chicago, in July. I would love to be there, but I need to know one thing before I can take further steps.
Is anybody I know going to be there too?
Or am I going to end up a little duckling in a sea of strange people?
After all, it is a big strange city, and I would have to travel alone?
Can anyone advise me on a place to stay that does not cost an arm and a leg?
What paperwork do I need to get to travel to the States?
Is there anybody out there who can help me with this? It would mean so much to me?


And now for my Macro Monday post.
Pussy Willows.
First signs of Spring.
I have never before witnessed their week by week development from that close.
It's amazing what your camera can see that you don't.

The first ones are taken a couple of weeks ago.



Some weeks later some kind of yellow sheen started to appear.



Another couple of days later ...






Dozens and dozens of tiny little flowers!
Gorgeous huh?
I never knew?


Find more Macro Monday pictures at Lisa's Chaos.

Now, don't go just yet!!
I have to ask you one more little favour ?

Have you enjoyed my Scavenger Hunt pictures I published earlier this week? In case you haven't seen them, they're here. They're a great way to get to know Belgium and the way we live a little better. If you like them, would you do me a favour?
Would you vote for them please?
You can cast your vote here.
Would you?

Awwww, thanks!

Macro Monday Texture

One of my favourite challenges for macro shots ... textures.







Find more Macro pictures at Lisa's Chaos.

Ruby Tuesday Spring Rubies

Those of you who might think I live in a tropical forest I'll have to disappoint.
These were not taken on some tropical location.
I live in Belgium.
The pictures were taken at the botanical garden in Antwerp.
These are merely tiny new sprouts on some kind of a a shrub.
I forgot to look what the name of the bush was, I'm sorry.
All I was thinking was that it would make a great Ruby Tuesday subject!

But I did remember to take a look at this one ...

Because of it's blossoms ...


I thought they were gorgeous.
I think I may want to go back in a week or two to have another look?

Find more Ruby pictures at Work of the Poet.

Macro Monday, Close to Spring ...

I'm joining Macro Monday again today.
This past weekend I have made so many close ups with the first signs of Spring
it would be a real shame not to use them ...
Enjoy ....









Look for more Macro Monday pictures at Lisa's Chaos.

Weekly Winners, First Signs of Spring

How would you know that Spring is in the air?
Let me take you with me ...

There are of course the Spring flowers at the local market.

We could have a drink or even eat outside again ...

The street artists are back ...

More colourful than ever it seems.

Or not so colourful ...
But he's handsome, isn't he?
Or ...
I could take you to the botanical garden,

and we could look for signs of Spring there ...
Not much ... at first sight?

There would of course be some Spring cleaning going on ...

New sprouts .

The old and the new ...


Hamamelis blossoming.

Crocusses of course.
Click to enlarge this one, there is a bee on that leaf, can you see it?

Primula's .... aaahhhh ...

So sweet ...

Don't you just love Spring?

I know I do!


Find more Weekly Winners at Sarcastic Mom's.