Tom And Cherry

Despite The Frost, The Blooms Are Appearing

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

The power of Nature never ceases to amaze me. We've had heavy frost every morning, with the lawns looking as if someone's spray-painted them white. We've had ice on the cars every morning. But the cherry and quince trees that began budding three weeks ago are now starting to open coyly into tiny pink starbursts. It's almost as if the branches are covered with minuscule pieces of pink popcorn.

The golden wattle is in full bloom as well, a sure reminder that there is just over a month to go until spring. And the days are getting longer, too. Every evening the sun sets about a minute later and the long evening shadows have a certain golden glow to them.

And if you look carefully at the frame below, you'll see raindrops on the gently curved branches. To a land hit hard by drought, there can be no greater blessing.