Blogging about Norway, our significant four seasons, culture and traditions now calls for a post about spring. After a relatively cold and snowy winter, nature is slowly waking up from hibernation and both nature and people get livelier. Of course the return of the sun helps as well: From 6 hour’s daylight in mid December to 15 hours now in Oslo helps to bring out the spring feeling and we get light more day by day: 18 hour’s in mid June.
We’ve had the loveliest sunny weather this weekend and to give you the proof of the pudding, my wife and I had a photo hunt in our garden and on our favourite spring beach. Let’s start with our garden and some examples of spring flowers in the south east part of Norway:
Let’s take a closer look at some typical from our area in southern Norway (click to bigify and enjoy):
Left: daffodils – Right: Crocus
Left: Scillia in front – Right: Primrose
Other typical garden flowers in Norway are tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, snow drops, and Lily of the valley.
Wild flowers at the Spring Beach:
Like I said we were on a photo hunt and went to our favourite beach where we know we’ll meet real spring and nature just out of hibernation:
I hope you are able to spot the ground almost totally covered by Anemone hepatica (common names: Kidneywort, liverwort, pennywort, Common Hepatica – in Norwegian: Blåveis). Let’s take a closer look:
Some weeks later, this is the white flower bed that will meet us when we again visit this lovely beach just 25 minutes by public transportation out of Oslo city:
Anemone nemorosa also in the family Ranunculaceae. Common names: wood anemone, windflower, thimbleweed and smell fox or in Norway: Hvitveis. (Photo shot with my Nokia two years ago).
There are others who are happy for the spring flowers too – guess you’re familiar with the story about the birds and the bees? ;-) This little guy was so fat the flower almost couldn’t hold him:
Not only the birds and the bees are happy for spring, warmer and sunny weather (around 15C – 60F). In this delightful, crisp, fresh air, people start thinking of beach life and tanning too of course (click to bigify and enjoy):
A bit early for bikinis yet, but if you dress right, still enjoyable.
So by this I declare spring seasons have started in Oslo, the south east of Norway. I hope you got some spring spirit from this too. To get even more of the spirit, you might like to check my wife DianeCA’s post too. It would be interesting to read if some of these spring flowers are to be found in you’re part of the world too!
Did you see my picture of the Bumble Bee? It was amazing that I even got the shot. This bee was so drunk on the pollen of my cherry tree that he just modeled his wings for me!
Lovely pictures too. Yes, spring has come to us as well. I always love the first flowers and the blue skies!
Lovely!
Right now, we have a lot of tulips in Ottawa, most of them because of the upcoming yearly Tulips Festival. It’s been quite warm so they are blooming already.
Definitely a spring spirit and beautiful pics. (Thanks!!) We’ve had it for months here, but the only drag is that when you think it will get warmer, it stays about 10C forever!!! Oh well, patience right!
Spring flowers are a welcome sight after the ice and snow of winter. Congratulations.
Ah, I do love Nordic spring! It’s great to see the sun and the flowers.
Beautiful signs of spring! The beach pictures look oddly like some of the beach areas in my native Washington State.
I haven’t been too active in visiting blogs but am going to try to get back into it. I have installed FeedDemon and it seems much quicker and more practical than Google Reader. Let’s call it a spring resolution!
What would you do to Hycyths in the summer? Do you cut them or rubber band them down? They are purple flowers that only bloom in the spring.
Gorgeous photos so happy Spring is finally showing up in Norway. It was a rough winter world wide! Have a great week.
To me Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I just love Oslo. The vibe, ambiance and the color of Oslo is simply breathtaking
Hello Renny! That most beautiful photos! It’s spectacular flowers so beautiful, I can almost smell them.
Here it is almost summer.
Soon I know if I can go to Oslo and then making the reservation.
Hug for you and Diane
Maria
All your pics could be from Finland! :)
Have a great week ahead!
BLOGitse
This is really interesting take on the concept. I never thought of it that way. I came across this site recently which I think will be of great use http://www.volunteerchallenge.com . Have a look!
Beautiful spring flowers! I really love the bright yellows. So glad spring has finally sprung for you!
Beautiful vegetation… Love the wild flowers :)
Hugs! Regards to Diane.
Ria C
It’s My Party
Handmade with Love
How beautiful. Our spring has come and gone. We start around February every year and by May we are looking at summer. Just how it is when you live in a desert.
Have a terrific day and enjoy your spring. Big hug to you and Diane. :)
Yeahhhh…….
Spring is there and lovely flowers :)))
LOvely pictures !!
We have flowers and leaves poking out too. Yay!
Your photos make me feel right at home, as if I’m looking out my window. I have lived in Florida all my life and cannot remember the cold that we had this year. We all lost everything in our yards.
All the best- Maxi
All i can say is wow, i love your place. I really hope i can travel there.
Let’s celebrate Norway’s arrival of spring time! Nice post and great photos, Renny.
We are here in the 80’s Fahrenheit – almost to warm already – for me :) I like temps around the 75’s…
Sorry to be absent that long from visiting your blog. To much things were going on here and still are. After hubby’s health problems we are on the look out for a new apartment. :)
great pics,nice write-up,thanks
I came across so many blogs embracing spring in their respective countries and here I am looking at your post and it looks as if I am in Paradise now Renny :D
I have been away and am catching up with all your posts. Spring is here too. My azalea bushes are in full bloom and my roses too.
I thoroughly enjoyed your report on Romania. I learned a lot as my only knowledge was about the Ceauşescu couple. I was in Paris that day of 25th Dec 89 and watched the whole sad thing on TV. I had no idea that they had an avenue like the Champs-Elysées and an Arc de Triomphe even. The food looks quite appetizing. I have never been to central Europe and hope I can go there sometimes.
so pretty. i just love to see all the flowers. :)
Amazing how fast it changing from lot’s of Snow to beautilful Flowers
I liked your photos! Garden, flowers, trees are my passion.
It’s so nice to see the flowers blooming and everything!
Ah, yes, isn’t it lovely? We’ve been out enjoying the spring all days, not even time for blogging!!!!!
So long-long winter and so beautiful flowers. Awaking of sleeping Mother-Nature.
BEAUTIFUL, Renny! Such sweet flowers and it’s amazing how Norway can go from the dead of Winter to the Glory Of Sprng in almost a blink of the eye….
Thanks so much for your Birthday Wishes. I dearly appreciate them very very much.
I really appreciate what you post here,very insightful and smart. One issue though, I’m running Opera on Fedora and parts of your current content are a little wonky. I realize it really is not necessarily the common method, but it is always a thing to watch out for.