Spring 2020 in Lockdown

The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day He created Spring. ~Bern Williams, English moral philosopher

While the Illinois Governor has declared yet another month of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, he can’t stop the arrival of Spring.

I managed to get outside the other day and was amazed at how many trees and flowers are in bloom, how pretty the day was, and how few people were enjoying it!

Take a look, won’t you?

Isn’t this a pretty Redbud? Eventually, heart-shaped leaves will replace these delicate flowers:

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Here’s a clump of Redbuds behind some tall and probably older trees:

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I found these cheery yellow and red tulips at our public library. Does anybody know what those blue cone-shaped flowers are? The best I can figure is they’re some sort of Lupine:

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I think this white flowering beauty is a variety of crab apple. If you know better, please educate me. Notice the “snow” beneath this tree as the flowers drop:

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I’m fairly certain the next one is some sort of pink Magnolia:

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Somebody had this lovely grouping around a cherry tree, which wasn’t in bloom yet. The deep purple tulips and all that white ground cover grabbed my interest:

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Oh, look — a pink azalea in bloom — and don’t you love the swing with its scuffed place beneath where little feet pushed higher toward the sky?

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Again, not sure what this flowering pink tree is:

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This pink Dogwood is just starting to bud:

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Such a striking red tree (anybody want to try identifying it?):

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Does anything say ‘Spring’ more than a field of Dandelions in varying stages of growth?

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More happy tulips swaying in a gentle breeze:

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I think this one’s a Bradford Pear. Despite its attractive Spring flowers, lovely shape, and propensity to grow fast and easily, this tree variety is known for being structurally weak (meaning watch out for violent storms because its branches are liable to snap!):

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Another grouping of red trees that I have no hope of identifying:

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There! Hope you enjoyed our jaunt. I did and am glad we finished before the rains rushed in. Do you have a favorite pictured here?