NATURE’S SPRINGTIME REVIVAL
Gill Sherry
Sometimes, it’s the simplest of things which result in the greatest of pleasures.
This is not a new phenomenon, but rather a realisation that comes with age. With maturity comes the ability to recognise what is important and what is not, particularly now there is greater emphasis on mental health and wellbeing.
Spring is, perhaps, the best time of the year to experience a renewed sense of positivity, hope and strength. It symbolises a time of revival and treats us to a season of warmth, colour and life.
I can’t help thinking that resolutions would be a lot more successful if they were made in the spring rather than on 1st January.
Taking time to appreciate what springtime has to offer is enormously beneficial. Who doesn’t smile at the first sign of snowdrops, the white bell-shaped flowers bowing their heads as if showing gratitude for the chance to bloom? We could all learn something from those determined but delicate plants.
And then come the crocuses (or croci, if you prefer). What a delight it is to see those purple petals proudly displayed on a carpet of grass. At the time of writing, a patch of orange crocuses is brightening up our neighbourhood, fighting the frosty mornings to glow bright in the spring sunshine.
Blowing their own trumpets, the daffodils are not far behind. Synonymous with spring, these yellow flowers arrive every year in a vibrant blaze of glory, brightening up gardens, fields and hedgerows. And nothing says springtime like a vase full of daffodils on the kitchen table, does it? Remember not to pick them from public places, though.
Soon the bluebells will appear. They might be one of the last spring flowers to bloom but they’re no less spectacular for it. Their deep violet petals transform woodlands across the land, not just with their colour but also their scent.
Likewise, garlic, which typically flowers in May or June and which fills the air with its rich pungence. Its pretty white petals are sometimes overlooked because of the overpowering scent, but there is much to admire in those star-shaped flowers.
As if to remind me of their springtime presence, there’s a flurry of activity outside as a zephyr of long-tailed tits takes advantage of the recently replenished cage of fat balls. Second only to the jay when it comes to my feathered favourites, these colourful birds are a welcome sight in the garden. I watch as their tiny beaks peck at the bountiful breakfast, their dusky pink plumage standing out amid the dull background of winter’s leftovers.
Of course, many garden birds remain active all year round, but nesting season brings a renewed responsibility and more bird behaviour for us all to admire. Last year, we were lucky to have blackbirds, wrens and wagtails nesting in our garden. Not forgetting another regular visitor, the great spotted woodpecker. Come June, we even had the pleasure of watching the adult male feed his chick.
And spring wouldn’t be spring without newborn lambs, would it? I’ve already seen a drove of new lambs suckling and leaping, tails wagging. It’s an uplifting sight that never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Those lucky enough to catch sight of a hare will, no doubt, share that feeling of joy. Early spring is breeding season for these fast-running, long-eared creatures. You might even see them boxing!
Yes, springtime provides ample opportunity for revival. It encourages us outdoors with its warmer temperatures and longer days, stimulating our mood and boosting our energy levels. What we see outside can influence how we feel inside. So, let’s emerge from winter’s grasp, take a lesson from Mother Nature, and embrace everything spring has to offer!
