Ume blossoms viewing at Osaka Castle Park, 2017

Temperature has fallen and then risen quickly and frequently like yoyo.  

"Springtime" is still in name only when fluffy snowflakes flutter in the piercing cold,

and then again
"springtime" is come when you see sprouts and a little brightened up landscape.

During the very short warm spell, I went to Ume Grove at Osaka Castle Park.

Ume, or Japanese apricot, is a floral harbinger of spring
and symbol of perseverance and hope.

You remember Ume Grove is in the middle of a big city 
when the surrounding skyscrapers are visible.

Different species of Ume come in different colors.

Honkobai (本黄梅) is unique yellow one with too long stamens 
which could make you miss to see the tiny petals.

本黄梅/Honkobai

When I heard pleasant chirping above and looked up, 

Japanese White-eyes were calling and foraging for nectar together. 

The olive green plumage goes well with the colors of the blossoms. 

My camera was busy clicking on spotting out quick-moving birds.

Their playful, acrobatic poses are so cute.

White-eyes are rarely found on the ground not like this Dusky thrush.

Gnarled branches, one of charms of Ume, look like dragons freely swimming among the flowers.

The Next day temperature dropped ten degrees,
but spring was at the Ume grove for sure when I was there.

Past post, Ume Blossoms Viewing at Osaka Castle Park, 2013, here.

Can't believe four years have passed. Time is fleeting.

Linked up to Our World Tuesday