"Hello May" May 1, 2026

Before heading off on my adventure in mid April, I had been out crocus hunting yet my success was not as it usually is for that time of year. Due to winter conditions lingering longer, the crocus season got pushed out.  I hoped that if I ventured up onto Nose Hill this morning, there might still be some crocuses to enjoy. There was! In abundance! Carpeting the hills! 

When I go crocus hunting, it takes getting down on the ground to become one with Mother Nature.  At one point I did then was shocked to see what was looking at me! As this post's focus is on crocuses, I will leave this photo with you and get back to it later. 

The last time I purposely went out to look at flowers was on Wednesday April 15, 2026 when I visited Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, South Holland. The flowers were right there, right before my eyes, I did not have to walk far to see them but I did walk far to enjoy the entire Gardens.  This morning up on Nose Hill, I did not have to walk far to find crocuses, yet I did walk far to enjoy the entire Hill. Up with the birds and out the door on a most gorgeous day, this was the best to way to say "Hello May"!  

I am sharing six of my crocus photos out of the close to one hundred that I captured.  These are my favourites and include singles, pairs and bouquets.  As I mentioned earlier, it took laying down on the ground to line up with each crocus to get the best angle.  While in the midst of my hunting, I wondered if crocuses grow in Norway.  It did not cross my mind to look while I was in Bergen last week.  I did some homework when I got home from Nose Hill and yes there are crocuses in Norway, although they are not native to the area.

In the middle of crocus hunting, I passed by the pond to see it was a happening place. Crows were flying over head chasing each other.  Many Mallards were flirting, chasing, courting, frolicking! I heard Sparrows, Robins, saw some kind of Hawk fly over, then it was a nice surprise to see this American Coot swimming with a Bufflehead couple. 

American Coot

Male Bufflehead

The Mallards put on quite a show!  

I was not quick enough on the draw to capture the full Male Mallard scurrying away.  

When I saw this photo, I chuckled.  I think it is perfect!  

So, now to get back to that first photo I shared!  

While I was being one with ground, a porcupine sauntered by.  

I did slowly get up and back away.

This is a nine second video of the porcupine going about its business. Using the camera's zoom, I took the video after I was at a safe distance.  It looks like it may have shot out quills from its backside at some point. 

Now back to another topic!  After learning about crocuses in Norway and seeing photos, I decided to create another painting from photos of my fjord cruises on April 19, 2026 and April 23, 2026. This time I added the waterfall that I did not include on the first painting and I also added Norwegian Crocuses along the shoreline.  I let my creativity wander and this is what transpired!  

I hope your May is getting off on the right foot and that it turns out to be merry month!