Nature

Posted on March 11, 2019 by

There are as many reasons as there are snowbirds as to why retirees head to warmer territory than their home state during the winter months. It’s not news to anyone who knows me that one of my top reasons is that I can be outside and enjoy nature.

The weather here is like everywhere else – up and down. But, we have had some beautiful, sunny, warm days in the mid 70’s. Those days are true gifts from Mother Nature. They allow walks on the beach, at the gardens, or just around a shopping area to enjoy hanging baskets and planters done up for spring. Yes, spring has sprung in South Carolina.

Magnolia tree, hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils.

Besides the beautiful spring blooming flowers, there are also animals to enjoy.

Gator swimming in the tree reflections, fox squirrel, cardinal, and turtles.

We stay in touch with the weather at home because although we’re thrilled we don’t have to scrape and shovel, we know our daughter is clearing paths and driveways.

Two weeks from this coming Saturday, we point the Acadia north. Best part after getting hugs from family? We get to see a second spring. Of course, this one comes with yard work, but I’m ready. 🙂

About Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread

Master Gardener who enjoys gardening, quilting, photography, and traveling.
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67 Responses to Nature

  1. Joyce says:
    March 11, 2019 at 7:49 am

    Heavenly! And so that’s a fox squirrel? I’ve never heard of them! Reminds me of how much fun it is to travel and meet animals indigenous to the area – like on our first trip to Disney World, being amazed that cute little lizards bop all over the place, sunning themselves on sidewalks. “Up here,” we only see them in zoos and pet shops! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Joanne Sisco says:
    March 11, 2019 at 7:52 am

    Being stuck here in the north I get to enjoy an early spring compliments of snowbirds like you and your great photos. Is there anything prettier than a magnolia tree in bloom? 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  3. KerryCan says:
    March 11, 2019 at 7:55 am

    When we were in the south last week, one of the best parts was seeing the flowers blooming! And the green–we’ve gone a long time without green up here . . . It’ll still be pretty cold when you get home, won’t it? You may even get a chance to shovel a little snow, for old times’ sake . . . .

    Liked by 2 people

  4. The Naturarian says:
    March 11, 2019 at 8:02 am

    Thank you for the Spring photos… I needed that 😉
    I tried to leave IL for FL 2 decades ago. After 5 yrs of bliss, I needed to come back to IL to care for my Mother. I then met my very grounded, anchored hubby. After Mom passed (06) I was ready to go back to FL or someplace warm… Nope…
    I’m still working on him 😏😏

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Oddment says:
    March 11, 2019 at 8:10 am

    Oh, thank you! It is so bleak here that your photos are all the more miraculous. I needed the reminder that winter really isn’t eternal. I particularly love those hyacinths (I’m not sure but I think I can smell them from here). Your collages are kind of like quilts, yes –where each part does its own thing yet they all work together? It’s a lovely effect!

    Liked by 2 people

  6. bikerchick57 says:
    March 11, 2019 at 8:25 am

    Oh Judy, I’m glad you have the opportunity to be surrounded by first spring. It looks lovely. Enjoy the warm weather and perhaps when you get back , the snow will be gone and the air will smell like a new season.

    Liked by 2 people

  7. MichaelStephenWills says:
    March 11, 2019 at 8:58 am

    Good to see the magnolia flowering…looking forward to our turn.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Laurie Graves says:
    March 11, 2019 at 9:07 am

    I was just about to ask what the little creature in the tree was when I saw that Joyce had correctly identified it as a fox squirrel. Never heard of a fox squirrel and what a treat to see one even if it’s only in a photo. Learned something new today. What a great way to start the day!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. stitchinggrandma says:
    March 11, 2019 at 9:25 am

    I’ve heard rumors of spring spreading to N.C. too. We have potential to hit 60 degrees today in Southern Delaware, and I’ll take anything at this point above 40. We are still below freezing some nights this week. My daffodils are poking their leaves up through the garden leaves. I am just wishing for some sunshine. Tired of the gloom. Enjoy your last weeks along the beach and thanks for reminding us that winter is soon over!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Wandering Dawgs says:
    March 11, 2019 at 9:28 am

    Love to see the signs of spring where you are. The trees and some wildflowers were flowering in north central Florida and the azaleas are almost in full bloom here in coastal Georgia. Won’t be long before the dogwoods are in full bloom.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. derrickjknight says:
    March 11, 2019 at 9:41 am

    A bright new season

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Dan Antion says:
    March 11, 2019 at 9:53 am

    I don’t have any desire to spend significant time away form this weather up here, but I am a bit jealous of being able to walk and see the beautiful sights you have shared. I hope the rest of your time in SC is as remarkable as these photos, Judy. I’ll try to clear the road in Hartford so you have an easy ride through.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Murphy's Law says:
    March 11, 2019 at 10:26 am

    So nice to see these gorgeous flowers and the magnolia tree in full bloom. I like the shots you took of the turtles and the cardinal. That fox squirrel is quite unique, but it looks a bit intimidating to me. Maybe he’s just camera shy!

    What a pleasure it is to see nature blooming and critters basking in the warmth of the sun. I am so tired of freezing temperatures and ice and snow and sleet and ice and freezing rain and ice and endless slush and now mud, and did I mention ice? Lol.

    Enjoy these last days of your first spring for 2019. Hope they’re all warm and sunny and filled with fun. Hope you get one more trip in to that bakery! What’s a few more calories at this point?! 😂😂
    🐾Ginger 🐾

    Liked by 1 person

    • Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread says:
      March 11, 2019 at 12:50 pm

      Thank you for the reminder. I do need to go back to the bakery and see what’s cooking. 🙂 Here’s hoping your temps level out a little. There are quite a few folks down here from the Rochester/Syracuse/Buffalo area. I guess they’re avoiding the ice and snow you’ve been dealing with. But, seniors clear out of here March 31 since as of April 1 the weekly rate is considerably higher than the winter monthly rate. 🙂

      Like

  14. Almost Iowa says:
    March 11, 2019 at 10:59 am

    Julie retires in May and while we were recently visiting in Phoenix, she turned to me and said, “I am so over winter.”

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Relax... says:
    March 11, 2019 at 12:03 pm

    What beautiful and interesting photos! Encouraging, too! I am quite ready for more colors around here than white, brown and asphalt!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. circadianreflections says:
    March 11, 2019 at 12:28 pm

    That fox squirrel is neat. I ’ve never seen one. Two Springs for a gardener like you must be heaven.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Ally Bean says:
    March 11, 2019 at 3:06 pm

    2 springs is a luxury. Lucky you. Such beautiful photos of now… and I’m hoping then. Safe travels.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. the eternal traveller says:
    March 11, 2019 at 4:25 pm

    It’s the same here. Many retirees head north from the southern states to warmer temperatures in winter. They hitch up their caravans and go wandering for three or four months. They’re fondly known as “grey nomads”. Enjoy your beautiful spring weather.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. M.B. Henry says:
    March 11, 2019 at 5:29 pm

    Wow, beautiful! Spring is springing!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. tonytomeo says:
    March 11, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    What is that scary animal in the tree?!?!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. treadway says:
    March 11, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    I never thought I would be one that would be a snowbird, if given the chance, but I think I probably would if I could. But even if we could, I don’t think Roger could survive the trips. But I sure enjoyed seeing these photos of what will eventually be here!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread says:
      March 13, 2019 at 7:09 am

      I never understood why folks went to warmer climates until I did it the first year. Then I appreciated being able to walk outside in weather that resembled spring/fall temps. Yes, the traveling is not the fun part of it, we do miss family ,but enjoy our time with winter friends.

      Like

  22. germac4 says:
    March 11, 2019 at 9:39 pm

    I agree with you completely on the need to be somewhere warmer in winter. It is so nice just to be able to go for a walk & wear summer clothes. Looks like spring in South Carolina is very pretty.. Safe travels home..🌞💐

    Liked by 2 people

  23. Marilyn Armstrong says:
    March 11, 2019 at 11:27 pm

    I think we are defrosting. It was nearly 60 today. Still a lot of snow on the ground, but I think maybe by next week — if we are lucky — most of it will be gone. You can come home soon 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Rupali says:
    March 12, 2019 at 5:44 am

    Lovely lively images.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Old Herbaceous says:
    March 12, 2019 at 7:37 am

    We’ve just returned from a short trip to South Carolina; the Lowcountry is one of my favorite parts of the world. It has been spring here at home for some weeks now, as we live in the South. My in-laws (based in NH) used to spend several weeks each winter on the South Carolina shore, and then enjoy a slow trip by car back home with the changing season. There’s actually a book called “North With the Spring” by naturalist Edwin Way Teale, describing his and his wife’s own journey following the season in the US. It’s well worth seeking out!

    Liked by 2 people

  26. Nancy says:
    March 12, 2019 at 8:29 am

    Spring and nature and rebirth… all go hand in hand.

    Your pictures are fabulous!

    We are starting to see Spring here in the desert… although a bit late in some areas because of our colder then usual winter. The wildflowers are in full bloom!

    Enjoy the rest of your time in the south…!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. mitzybricker says:
    March 12, 2019 at 10:30 am

    Two Springs! Terrific! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  28. snakesinthegrass2014 says:
    March 13, 2019 at 4:45 pm

    Oh no, blossoms! My eyes are already watery from the allergies I get every spring. 🙂 But seriously I love spring even if my nose and eyes suffer a bit. Beautiful pictures… – Marty

    Liked by 1 person

  29. joey says:
    March 13, 2019 at 10:26 pm

    Ahhh, watching it happen there is like a preview of our own spring, so it’s like you get two, and I can live vicariously. Thank you! Stood out in the sun today. It was nice. Warm sun on my face. We’ll have some cold, snowy, icy days yet, I’m sure — but not today! (or tomorrow!) It’s refreshing. Like your photos 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  30. Annie says:
    March 15, 2019 at 4:28 pm

    Well…. I’m warming things up for your return trip home to New Hampshire. Today was 61° and I actually sat outdoors on the deck in the sun. Snow is melting fast and running downhill in rivers of water. I hope the snow vanishes soon and these mild temperatures greet you upon your return.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Eliza Waters says:
    March 15, 2019 at 8:21 pm

    Two springs is a great treat. I just got back from two weeks in CA and it was lovely to see things blooming. Things are warming up here and our own spring won’t be long now. Hopefully, your return will be timed perfectly!

    Liked by 1 person

  32. gardeninacity says:
    March 16, 2019 at 12:20 pm

    What a glorious spring! Well, at least here we have the first Snowdrops.

    Liked by 1 person

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