Thematic Photographic - Goodbye Winter

Each week Carmi at Written, Inc. has challenged readers with a theme for photographic inspiration. This week the photographic challenge continues with the theme "Goodbye Winter."

Here in Southern California, we've said goodbye to winter a few months ago. But back in January, things were still awakening. Among them, this vigorous rosy-tinged shoot pushing up through the soil with its leaves furled like a fist. It's our California mountain native peony, Paeonia californicus.


The leaves open up, the stalk lengthens, and a nodding bud emerges.

It's a flower so shy you can only look into it if you turn it up to face you. These flowers bid winter farewell - by saying Hello to spring.