Matson Lands 2

When I go to the Matson Lands early in the year I always check out this spot first. The Snowdrops blooming here in this crack in the rocks are always the first to show - I think they've got their own little micro-climate going there.

The Matson Lands

As soon as we are on the downhill slope towards spring I begin to check out the Matson Lands, pictured above. It's a very small chunk of Garry Oak Wood ecosystem, no more than an acre, that overlooks the West Bay Walkway. What makes it special is that it faces south and climbs upwards at about a 30 degree angle so that it gets the most sun possible, even in the dead of winter. In addition, it is basically a large rock with a sprinkling of soil here and there so all that heat that it soaks up stays in the rock and provides a little warmth to the plant life and brings it life a little earlier in the year than in less favored locations. I took the above photo yesterday on a walk - you can see the Snowdrops (those small white flowers) in little clusters here and there. I did post a Snowdrop photo in December but they were in a garden setting and very much protected from the elements. The Snowdrops pictured above are wild.

Help!

Every year I put together a calendar for friends and family, of photos I have published on this blog for the last year or so. However, it's always difficult to make decisions about which photos to use. I sam hoping visitors to this blog will help out. Every day for the next few weeks I will publish two or three photos from a given month and hope that comments and choices made by visitors will help me make a final decision which photos to use in this year's calendar. As an incentive, I will offer an online downloadable/printable file of the calendar to anyone who helps me make a choice. Below are my favorite January 2016 photos: Which one do you prefer?
Snowdrops

Skyline

Sunset

Snowdrops!

Well, these are always the earliest of spring flowers, but I was surprised to see these when I went for a walk today - a beautiful sunshiny day. I've just checked previous years' photos and I don't generally see these lovely little blooms until mid-January or later.

More Snowdrops

Couldn't resist these snowdrops growing in a rocky cleft above the West Bay Walkway.

Snowdrops

I had intended to continue this week with a look at the Victoria Convention Centre that is attached to The Empress Hotel. However, it was so nice to see these Snowdrops blooming on the weekend that I thought I would share them with you.

Snowdrops - Looks Like Spring

Every year I post a photo of Snowdrops. It's usually one from around the yard but I noticed this bunch in an old barrel while out for a walk around the neighborhood. These flowers bloom so early in the year they don't really count as spring flowers but it sure is nice to see them as well as the odd little daisy popping up in the lawns.

Snowdrops

Victoria's current sub-freezing temperatures (just now it's -2C) don't appear to affect these little Snowdrops (Galanthus), photographed a few minutes ago in our back yard. There are lots of other early-blooming plants poking up now too and I expect that next week - when the weather is supposed to warm up again - we'll see the beginning of spring's blossoms - especially the crocuses and daffodils.

Signs of Spring

Snowdrops are always a welcome sight at this time of year aren't they? - Fern

Snowdrops

I love to see these Snow Drops (Galanthus) blooming. It makes it seem that spring is right around the corner.

Snowdrops

These little Snowdrops (Galanthus) are still the only flowers around right now but the buds are swelling on the trees and spring is in the air.

The First Snowdrop

I love the way these little Snowdrops (Galanthus) start blooming so early every year regardless of what the weather is like. Here's this year's first bloom. When I see these dainty little snow-white blossoms I know that crocuses and daffodils are not too far away.

Snowdrops

Though it's cloudy and gray out today it's impossible not to enjoy these snowdrops that have just started blooming in the last few days. There are about 20 different species of this flower in the genus Galanthus and I have no idea which species these are. I've posted two photos of them (taken with different lenses) because I can't decide which I like best.

Snowdrops (For Wayne and Priyanka)

The weather warmed up a bit today, almost springlike, and when I saw these snowdrops blooming I remembered how much Wayne over there at Vancouver Daily Photo delights in these spring flower photos from Victoria. So, Wayne, this one's for you, but it's only the beginning. The Annual Spring Flower count is yet to come!

When I posted a photo of these snowdrops emerging from the ground in early January, Priyanka Khot of the Delhi Photo Diary requested a photo of them blooming so, Priyanka, this is also for you.

Snowdrops - Rebirth

I took this photo the day before yesterday and was originally going to post it as a companion to yesterday's "Into the Mist...." photo. However, my daughter's photo is so good I decided not to post anything with it. However, for me, this is logical next photo in the sequence. These sprouts will develop into the flowers called Snowdrops.