Sunday, May 25, 2025

Reflections on Spring

Spring: my favorite time of year, where I get to watch the natural world come alive in a myriad of spectacular steps.


Kiyomizu Dera Temple in Kyoto Japan by Jeanne Selep
Image 1: Lush Pink Cherry Blossoms in Japan

While I try to see, experience, and contemplate spring's miracles, I find myself wanting to encourage others to do the same. 


Kiyomizu Dera Temple in Kyoto Japan by Jeanne Selep
Image 2: White Cherry Blossoms in Japan

I think a synonym for spring could be "transform".


Kiyomizu Dera Temple in Kyoto Japan by Jeanne Selep
Image 3: Pink Cherry Blossoms past peak in Japan

Spring is a season of miraculous transformations.  


Cherry Blossoms in bloom in Japan
Image 4: Cherry Blossoms like Pink Lace against the Sky

Spring's transformations are so ubiquitous that many forget to realize the miracles happening before their eyes.  


Kiyomizu Dera Temple in Kyoto Japan by Jeanne Selep
Image 5: Cherry Blossoms like lace backed by sky

I find it hard not to be awed by the complete change in the landscape from winter to summer.


Night illumination of Kiyomizu Dera Temple in Kyoto Japan
Image 6: Cherry Tree in bloom, Kyoto

I love the mad rush of blossoms that transform some trees into an exuberant floral fantasy for a couple of days, changing the tree from months of bare branches to months of green leaves. 


Night illumination of Kiyomizu Dera Temple in Kyoto Japan
Image 7: A Floral Fantasy: Cherry Tree in Bloom, Kyoto Japan

Emerging spectacles link together to form the season of "spring", yet the individual scenes of spring, the blooming cycles of individual plants, are sometimes only 2-5 days long for a specific plant type, and the weather can interfere with those periods.  


Kiyomizu Dera Temple in Kyoto Japan by Jeanne Selep
Image 8: Pink Cherry Blossoms

Spring's joyous surprises are fast and fleeting.  


Cherry trees with Tulips
Image 9: Cherry blossoms in Japan

If a modern person found a watch on the surface of the moon, they could recognize the watch as evidence that a watchmaker existed, because the watch could not "naturally" occur.  I see spring's, and life's transformations and I recognize spring as evidence of a Creator. 

Cherry trees with Tulips
Image 10: Cherry trees with Tulips, Kyoto Botanic Garden

Spring, and all of nature's miracles, convince me that a Creator existed, a designer of our planet's miracles, a watchmaker of life.  

(Some people say - "Who made the Creator?" which sidetracks the point that a Creator existed.  One shouldn't ignore the evidence a watchmaker existed just because we don't know where the watchmaker came from.)


Cherry trees with Tulips
Image 11: Fun Shaped White Cherry blossoms

All of these photos where taken on my trip to Japan in 2025.  I hope to someday document parks and gardens I visited, but I wanted to share some of the cherry blossoms I saw while it was still spring 2025.  (In Wisconsin USA the redbuds are still blooming, and the Lilies of the Valley are in full bloom - it's still spring here!) 


Japan Tokyo Ueno Park Cherry Blossoms by Jeanne Selep
Image 12: Japan's Ueno Park in Tokyo with Cherry Blossoms

Here are two photos from Tokyo's Ueno Park, to show that I also tried to take lovely landscape views...


Japan Tokyo Ueno Park Cherry Blossoms by Jeanne Selep
Image 13: Ueno Park with Cherry Blossoms reflected in water

 But today's post consisted mostly of cherry blossom portraits - trying to capture close-ups of a fraction of the millions of blossoms I saw. 


Bird in Cherry Blossoms in Japan by Jeanne Selep
Image 14: Bird in Cherry Blossoms

I know further South it's summer (and in the Southern Hemisphere fall will be starting soon) - I find the seasons and timing of spring fascinating.  Spring photos can be enjoyed any time of year.  

I hope you had a great spring with some beautiful memories, and I hope you enjoyed my photos while reflecting on spring...   If you read to here, I would love to hear your thoughts!



"The Earth laughs in flowers"
Ralph Waldo Emerson  

 

 

(Note:  This garden sign from Shinjuku Gyoen garden in Tokyo Japan is packed with information on cherry blossoms.  Sorry about the quality, the photo was taken in pouring rain.  Sigh...)

Bird in Cherry Blossoms in Japan by Jeanne Selep
Image 15: Garden Sign in Tokyo about Cherry Blossoms


Click on the images to see them enlarged.



 _________________________________________________________________________________________________


See more from Japan here...















 _________________________________________________________________________________________________



If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy ...

Bluebirds
Lotus Garden
Canada Autumn
Glass Flowers 2
Italian Garden
flower mirror
Flower Mirror
Lilies of Valley
Needlework
Winter Garden
CBG Orchid Show
Bonsai in Bloom
Orchids
German Castle
Yellowstone
Paris Reflections
Japan Memories



_________________________________________________________________________________________________

I am linking up to these parties:
Lisa Howeler: Weekend Traffic Jam (Entry 54 of 73.)       I was featured here!
Sticky mud+belly laughs: Mon Morn (Entry 4 of 17.
)
Altered book lover: T Tuesday (Entry )
Wisdoms+Wrinkles: Wisdoms Party Tu 17 (Entry
)
Rachel Swirl: Sunday Snapshot (Entry 5 of 7.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me Mon 518 9a (Entry 16 of 75.)
My Random: Anything Goes (Entry ***)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 19 of 41.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 1x of 19x.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 15 of 23**)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 581 Mon 1p (l Entry 4 of 52.)
Keeping it Real: Party 464 (Entry 19 of 42.)
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry 1 of 19.)
Kristin-Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 332 (m Entry 13 of ***Monthly)
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me Mon 778 3p (l Entry
3 of 92.)
Karins Kottage: Wed Linky Party (Entry 12 of 98.
)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry 4 of 36)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday 498 (Entry 5 of 17.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now 478 Tues (m Entry 10 of 87)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 16r of 100r.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist 630 (l Entry 12 of 33)
Huisvlijt: Huisvlijt Danish Party 22 (l Entry 16 of 19.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 5p Tues (l Entry ***)
Studio27 - Jennifer: Wed Studio 16 (Entry 19x of 28x.)
Artsy Mama: Team Creative Crafts (Entry 15 of 90.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Wonderful Wed (Entry 14r of 61r)
Also Ducks n a Row: Wonderful Wed (m Entry 14r of 61r)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 454 Wed (m Entry 40)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry 15)
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry 3r of 16r)
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home 136 (Entry 5r of 24r)
Our Hopeful Home: Vintage Charm 492 Wed (m Entry 4 of 26)
Simple Life Mom: Homestead Blog Hop 550 Wed (Entry 15)
Pennys Passion: Thinking out Loud Thur (Entry ***)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style Wed 6p (Entry b)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty Th (Entry)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry 36)
Also Follow the yellow brick: TFT 10a (Entry )
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry 7)
Days filled with Joy: Home matters 532 Fri (s Entry 5)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 7 of 81
)
Good Random Fun: Little Things Thur (m Entry 17 of ***
)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 8p (i Entry 1 of 95)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks Fr 8a (L Entry )
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 400 (Entry 26)
Fiesta Friday: Fiesta Fri (Entry )
Skyley: Skywatch Fri (Entry 28r)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 37)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe (L Entry 28)
Shabby Art: Create-grow-gather 677 (L Entry 1x)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party 91 Fri (Entry 13)
Rambling Woods2: Nature Notes Fri (Entry )
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry 3 of 21)
Weekend Reflection: reflections (Entry 14)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best (l Entry )
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 251 (Entry ***)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade Sun a (Entry )
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 306 Sun 2p (l Entry 6 of 11)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun 672 (l Entry 10 of 109.)
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry 5 of 13.)
Insta encouragements: Linky Party (Entry 5x of 13x.)
Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 587 Sun a (Entry 4 of 52)
Shelbee on the edge: Spread kindness 757 (Entry 49 of 50.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 362 Mon 4a (Entry 39 of 155.)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home Tue 9a (m Entry monthly)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 43 of monthly)

760890



33 comments:

Sandi said...

These are so beautiful.

roentare said...

Your reflections on spring are deeply moving—a reminder that beauty, fleeting as it may be, points beyond itself to something intentional, something wondrously designed.

Handmade in Israel said...

Beautiful words and beautiful blossoms! It sounds like you had a fabulous trip.

Kim Carberry said...

I do love spring, seeing everything come alive again. Beautiful photos! The blossom is always so pretty.

Melynda@Scratch Made Food! said...

OMG, so beautiful! Visiting from #MMBC Melynda @scratchmadefood!

NCSue said...

Stunning photos! Thanks for joining us this week so we could see your lovely spring!
https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-few-photos-of-forrest.html

Tea With Jennifer said...

Beautiful, God's creation is indeed amazing as is He Jeanne.
Blessings, Jennifer

magiceye said...

You have depicted the beauty of spring so well!

Joanne said...

These are all so beautiful! You are inspiring me to break out my "real" camera and get some more artistic shots of nature.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Spring is my favorite time of year - all the flowers pushing through the soil and trees covered in flowers. Your photos are like a real fairy tale.

Lisa R Howeler of Boondock Ramblings said...

Beautiful photos! And yes, I feel like Spring points to our creator too. What a wonderful reminder you've gifted us!

Jim said...

Fantastic.

Lydia C. Lee said...

How gorgeous! We were there in Feb one year so just saw the start of the blossom. Your pics are lovely!

Susan said...

These are gorgeous! New beginnings!

Laura @ Our Grand Lives said...

You captured so much beauty on your trip to Japan, Jeanne! I love the anaolgy of "transformations" and how the season of spring is filled with them! Thank you for visiting our blog (Our Grand Lives) and for taking the time to read my story and comment. I am so happy to make the connect - we are neighbors of sorts as my blogging partner and I live in Minnesota and I visit Wisconsin regularly - our oldest and her family live near Madison! Have a wonderful week! I look forward to reading future posts!

Lillian "sognafaret" said...

So many amazing flowers!

Slabs said...

WOW, just wow, absolutely incredible.
Thank you for sharing and participating at SSPS 362. See you at #363
Please don’t forget to join us each W-S #WordlessWednesday (Words Welcome) https://esmesalon.com/tag/wordlesswednesday/ Now open

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Gorgeous photos! The blossoms are beautiful, and I really like those that have the blue sky as background. Lovely!

Alana said...

Spring seems to take forever to come where I live, and then it's gone in a flash. Your images are so beautiful - thank you for helping me relive spring.

Photo Cache said...

Spring and spring blooms are just so joyful and uplifting.

Worth a Thousand Words

RachelSwirl said...

Oh I adore cherry blossom! Thanks for sharing and for taking part in #MySundaySnapshot.

Intelliblog said...

Delightful photos! Thanks for taking part in the "Travel Tuesday" meme.

Jayne said...

I love spring! It is such a pretty season. Those blossom captures are beautiful. Thanks so much for joining in with #MMBC. :)

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Spring is indeed a magical and beautiful time.

Cat said...

Beautiful pictures!

Jennifer Adams said...

My favorite spring tree is the Crabapple, I didn't realize they were so similar looking to the cherry blossoms! Featuring you at Wednesdays in the Studio!

Cloudia said...

Very enjoyable. Yes! Well shown and well written

Veronica Lee said...

What a beautiful celebration of spring, Jeanne!
Your photos perfectly capture the joy and freshness of the season.
I especially loved the close-ups.
Thank you for sharing your reflections.

Stephanie said...

It sounds like you had a beautiful trip, and I'm in love with all the photos. So beautiful! Featuring your post tomorrow at the Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.

Sharon Wagner said...

What a color sensation! A riot of pastels.

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Beautiful photos and gorgeous reflections!

Suzana said...

Your images are fantastic. I think this trip was amazing. Thank you so much for sharing these beauties. When I see the perfection around me, at such a scale, I definetely believe that there is a cosmic creator designer, that we can call as we want. Would be a miraculous finding, this Source of everything. Maybe a lifetime target?
Thank you for the visit on my blog. Have a beautiful Summer, Jeanne!❤️😘

Lisa R Howeler of Boondock Ramblings said...

Thank you for linking up to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! I highlighted your post on my blog this week.