Snapshots from Germany, part 1

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I just got back from a trip to Germany to visit family. I didn't do any traveling around Germany—I just spent time with my kinfolk—but I still managed to take a bunch of photos I'd love to share with you.

If I had to sum up my visual impressions in one word, it would be green. No: make that GREEN. Even though California is still clinging to the last remnants of spring verdure, the signs of the worst megadrought in 1200 years are everywhere. As a result, the contrast between California and Germany couldn't have been greater. See for yourself.


The first set of photos was taken at my late cousin's property on the edge of the forest. 


The woods looked as inviting as can be. No Brothers Grimm fright fest here!


The apple trees in my cousin's orchard were in full bloom. The white of the flowers contrasted beautifully with the yellow of the dandelions.






More tree tapestries from elsewhere in town:




The panorama below is my favorite photo of this trip. It was pouring when I took it. Off to the side was a perfect double rainbow.




The meadows were full of daisies...


...and dandelions:


I don't know what kind of dandelion these are, but they're different from the common dandelion in California. The seedheads are noticeably larger:


May is also peak bloom time for rape (Brassica napus), grown commercially for its oil-rich seeds. The rape fields on the outskirts of town were carpets of brilliant yellow. I bet you can see them from space!



I'll end this post with another favorite panorama:


Here is part 2, featuring photos of buildings around town.


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© Gerhard Bock, 2022. All rights reserved. To receive all new posts by email, please subscribe here.
Location: Mittelfranken, Deutschland

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 15, 2022 at 3:29 PM

    Beautiful, thanks for sharing! Love the "antler" trees with all the heavy moss.

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    1. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)May 16, 2022 at 5:38 PM

      Me too! They pollard these trees every year, which makes for an interesting look.

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  2. Pam/Digging https://www.penick.net/diggingMay 15, 2022 at 9:07 PM

    Really lovely, Gerhard. Somehow I never seem to have a picture of the German countryside in my head. I obviously need to visit one day! It looks very beautiful in spring.

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    1. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)May 16, 2022 at 5:38 PM

      It really is. I forget how lush everything is. They get rain year round, which helps.

      Delete
  3. hbMay 15, 2022 at 9:38 PM

    Yes, GREEN. Doesn't compute looking at it--they paint their grass? Hills here already bleached brown.

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    1. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)May 16, 2022 at 5:37 PM

      LOL, that's occurred to me, too! I envision a small army of elves coming out at night with buckets of green paint :-)

      Delete
  4. HorticatMay 16, 2022 at 12:05 AM

    Beautiful green. Photo number three is so relaxing to look at. It would make wonderful wallpaper.

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    1. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)May 16, 2022 at 5:36 PM

      I agree! I may have some of these photos printed to hang on the wall.

      Delete
  5. Kris PetersonMay 16, 2022 at 12:45 PM

    Beautiful! Yes, the contrast to California can't be missed. Now that's an area where I expect one can engage in "forest bathing" just by walking out the door. I've recently seen some blog posts from Bavaria featuring those fields of yellow rape - they're incredible.

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    1. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)May 16, 2022 at 5:36 PM

      Forest bathing! OMG, I did forest bathing without even realizing it! But you're right, that's exactly what it was.

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  6. ksMay 17, 2022 at 5:00 PM

    It seems like I was just chatting with you in your orange apron at the plant sale and now you've across the pond and beyond ! So green and lush. These lucky people with rain.

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    1. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)May 19, 2022 at 2:50 PM

      Funny, in Germany they start complaining of "drought" when it doesn't rain for two weeks :-)

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  7. luv2gardenMay 18, 2022 at 8:43 AM

    Gorgeous! Dandelions are so pretty until they set seed and deposit everywhere. Spring looks so benevolent there. No wind, drought or snow. Must be nice

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    1. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)May 19, 2022 at 2:51 PM

      The climate has changed pretty dramatically. Winters are much milder now. This past winter it only snowed a few times.

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  8. AnonymousMay 18, 2022 at 5:40 PM

    First the deserts, now the green of the German country side: such a contrast. Many beautiful photos. Love #10 in particular because of it's winding path. Those paths are always intriguing to me, inviting to see where they lead.
    Chavli

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    1. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)May 19, 2022 at 2:52 PM

      I love to take photos of paths, roads, etc. As you said, you never know where they might lead!

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  9. Nancy in Sun Lakes AZMay 21, 2022 at 3:28 PM

    My Mom used to say (when she got back from a trip to Germany) that she didn't understand why our ancestors left! I am sure they had their reasons but she is right in a way!

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    1. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)May 23, 2022 at 10:22 AM

      In my case, it was me doing the leaving and I've never regretted it. As much as I loved all that green, I'm a desert rat at heart :-)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMay 23, 2022 at 8:42 PM

      Yes, I do understand being a “desert rat”. I left the Northeast for Phoenix and I too never regretted it! The desert is magical!

      Delete

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