Tender spring Magnolias in Nanaimo. Canon EOS XSi EFS 75-300 f/4-5.6 at 160mm f/20 1/200 IThe tender heart of spring pushes itself from the rank mouldering earth and reminds of what life is. We see it again in new ways and we feel our own hearts become younger. And even though spring is delicate, even though it is fragile it gives us hope and allows to break free from the serious contemplations of winter. It is the place and time where journies begin again and we see possibilites not boundaries.

“Let us be like a bird for a moment perched

On a frail branch when he sings;

Though he feels it bend, yet he sings his song,

Knowing that he has wings.”

-Victor Hugo

I went out on a spring morning a a couple of years ago to walk around Nanaimo and photograph some of the wonderful flowers that were springing to life and I came across a series of Magnolia trees in Bowen Park. The petals had recently emerged and had not yet finished growing. I was immediately struck by a flower that had a wonderfully disorganized look to the petals. It seemed as though they were in a hurry to get out and had burst out of the tree before they could get themselved organized. The long focal length threw the background out of focus nicely yet helped to establish the setting. I also really like the way that the fuzziness of the seed pod brings texture to the image.

-Russell Berg