Azalea Blossoms in the Spring

Pink Blossoms

Our large pink azalea bush has bloomed once again, a sure sign that spring is in full swing. Just like clockwork.

For the past few years, I have tried to capture a good photo of the azalea blossoms, because I know they will not last all that long. Last year’s version was part of the 50with50 series. This year’s version that you see above would also qualify for the 50with50 series, if that series had not ended.

This year’s version differs quite a bit from the previous photo. But even though this photo looks a little different, the blossoms are every bit as pink as they always are. It is just a difference in photo styles. You can read more about all of that in the “About the Photo” section down below.

Just Like Clockwork

We can always count on spring coming each year. The flowers bloom, the trees grow new leaves, the pollen spreads, the people sneeze. But it is all good. And it is all reliable.

We say the seasons come just like clockwork. But actually, the seasons changed with exact regularity long before there were such things as clocks. Clocks are relatively recent inventions compared to how long spring has been following winter. Over and over again, year after year, the seasons keep changing.

The last year taught us that not everything we have relied on in the past has always been reliable. Spring sports, high school graduations, summer vacations - things that you can “count on” did not happen last year. Or if they did, they looked much different. We think of some of those things happening like clockwork, too, but last year they did not. That interruption of the regular schedule last year made me appreciate all the more the things that we can count on.

Of course, the azalea by our front porch will not always bloom like clockwork. One of these days, it will most likely die and no longer bloom. But spring itself will still go on. There will be other flowers and trees to mark the start of spring even when that azalea is gone.

And the same goes for life as well. Even though things were different last year and some of our “regular” events did not happen, our lives went on, and they continue to go on. It was not the end of the world, just a change.

Appreciate the things that do not change. Appreciate the things that could change, because they might not be around forever. And above all, appreciate our great God who is in control and who does not change, no matter how things might seem here on earth.

Bible Verse

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? - Numbers 23:19

About the Photo

As I mentioned above, I gave this photo a different look from the photo of last year. That was intentional, because I did not want to have something that looked the same. Different is good sometimes.

For this new photo, I desaturated the colors a good bit, and I also increased the brightness more than I usually do. This gave the photo a much brighter, lighter look. There was already a good bit of bokeh there due to the 50mm lens, but I added in a little soft focus in processing as well. I like the dreamlike look of this one just as much as I like the bold colors of last year’s photo. I guess you can add my photo processing tastes to the list of things that do change. Maybe not like clockwork, but definitely on occasion.

Photo: A single Raw exposure processed in Luminar AI. Read more about photography tips, photo software, camera gear, and more at Steve’s Photography Tips.
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 II
Lens: Sony FE 50mm f/1.8
Date: April 21, 2021
Location: Home, Williston, Tennessee