Hints of spring in the north wind

February is the coldest month of the year in Japan.
Different from the warm last Saturday, yesterday was the coldest of the season
with the highest temperature barely 4 degrees Celsius or less in Kansai region.
In some parts of Japan, it has been snowing to heavy amounts, but not here in Nara.
Though I'm chilled to the bone in the raged north wind or in the chilling rain, 

I sense hint of spring here and there.  

Rice straw in Asuka Village

Buds of magnolia are constantly swelling to burst.

Some winter flowers have brightened up pale wintry day.

January 3

The buds of winter-flowering Chimonanthus praecox form. Concolor, or Soshin-robai, 

 flowered and are going to be withered.　

January 31

One day in early February, desolate but simple beauty was seen along the edge of the pond.....

.....while the ducks looked swimming merrily on the green water in the warm sunshine.
The next day, weather turned to the chill again.

"The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. "

Hamamelis japonica (Japanese Witch Hazel in English, Mansaku in Japanese) 

bloom about four weeks from February to March.

Prunus mume (Japanese apricot in English, Ume in Japanese) starts to flower in mid-winter, 
typically around mid-February until early-March.

They will be at their best in two weeks.  
Fragrant scent makes you forget the cold air and fills you with the promise of spring. 

At Nagai Botanical Garden on Feb. 7

F likes to play outdoors.

She braved the cold and tried to catch the wind under the wintry sky before the fluttering of snowflakes.

A crow was perching on a branch with full of buds as if saying.....

Relax, spring is around the corner.

- This post is linked to Our World Tuesday. -


(In response to Barb's comment)
F's kite is here, Barb.
She enjoyed kite-flying after she climbed down the hill.