opened its first bud this morning.
Just in time to save me from going completely stir crazy. My daughter and I have been inside the house for three days straight (our absolute max limit) because of the weather. Monday, we had snow and high temperatures in the single digits. Yesterday, daytime temperatures never even got above zero and the prediction for last nights low was 20 below. Mercury readings that make wimps like us shudder! My thermometer doesn't seem to be reading correctly so I'm not sure if we actually hit that low or not? Maybe I don't want to know??
Today is forecasted to be in the single digits again but the good news is that we go up from here. :-)
Hard to believe I was sitting outside, in my shorts, enjoying 65 degree temperatures just last Friday! The bees were out with me, looking for anything they could find. Feeling bad for them (two snowdrops don't go far) I shared my tulip bouquet (just like I've done in previous years.) I was almost ready to pitch it anyway and, at this time of year, they aren't picky about "past the peak" blooms. In very short order, every tulip was swarmed with bees:
I don't see temperatures that nice in our extended forecast but at least we all had that one fabulous day. A break like that goes a long way in the middle of winter...
And so does a gorgeous Moth (phalaenopsis) orchid bloom!
I think it is so cool that your bees checked out the tulips you put outside! I feel tempted to try that when my hive gets active on warm days.
Posted by: Eliza @ Appalachian Feet | February 02, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Your tulips are indicative of nicer, balmier weather! Hang in there, Kathleen! :-)
Posted by: Shady Gardener | February 02, 2011 at 11:32 AM
That is cold! I always find it amazing how much your temperatures vary there. Here even on our milder days it doesn't warm that much from our coldest.
For how cold it is there I'm amazed at the bees, I haven't see any yet even when the sun has been out.
The orchid is beautiful!
Posted by: Catherine | February 02, 2011 at 12:08 PM
So beautiful! Those orchid blooms look like richest cream. Gorgeous!
Posted by: Nancy Bond | February 02, 2011 at 01:04 PM
Your orchid is so pretty. I love all the curves and lines of the petals.
I can't get over the temp differences for you from Friday to today. stay warm!!!
Posted by: Janet | February 02, 2011 at 02:06 PM
The shallow DoF in the last photo is perfect! (Our high tomorrow will be 8F and we just got 18 inches of snow - I am tired of winter.)
Posted by: Kala | February 02, 2011 at 11:00 PM
Everyone will be so glad to get this fickle winter behind them. I would much rather look at the white on your orchid. It is so lovely Kathleen.The white bloom look so delicate. I hope you and the honeybees will be able to be out again soon.
Posted by: Lona | February 03, 2011 at 11:17 AM
There's an extreme weather and then there's extreme weather ~ you have experienced an unbelievable swing in temperature. I remember when you put flowers out for the bees last year. They look so happy to see the tulips!
Posted by: Sweetbay | February 03, 2011 at 05:33 PM
Great photos! But at least it's February. Spring is not that far off. We will prevail!
Posted by: Grace | February 03, 2011 at 09:08 PM