Dogwoods on the Square

Two or three weeks ago, I shared a few pictures of the Old Court House Museum in Vicksburg, which I captured at dusk one evening.

At that time, the dogwood trees surrounding the Court House Square were loaded with buds and a promise of Spring.

Last Friday around noon, I returned to the Court House, and was rewarded with a glorious sight — the dogwood trees were in full bloom!

They were absolutely dazzling!

I'm afraid my pictures don't do the trees justice — they are truly breathtaking in person.

And speaking of breathtaking ... the casual observer strolling the grounds of the Square may admire the flowers from a distance.

But if you are a regular visitor to Southern Lagniappe, you know I don't admire anything from a distance for long. My curiosity always gets the best of me and I have to get off the beaten path ... or, in this case, off the sidewalk ... and get a closer look at things. I'm so glad I took the time to see these beautiful Irises up close and personal.

These mauve blooms were exquisite, and were as large as salad plates.

I enjoyed seeing this memorial garden honoring Mr. Hobbs Freeman, a much loved and respected local artist, sculptor, builder, jewelry maker, cook, and gardener.

He could create whatever his mind could imagine, and many of the themes of his art were focused on natural places, especially native plants and wildlife.

Mr. Freeman passed away last June, but his art and his legacy as an ambassador for both art and nature will be forever remembered and honored by his many friends and the people of Vicksburg.

Azaleas are in full bloom, and I enjoyed capturing a few pictures of the ones on the Square.

I also captured a little lagniappe ... or serendipity, if you prefer ... along with the flowers.

After watching the bees for a few minutes, I can understand where the expression, "busy as a bee," comes from. Notice the pollen covering this bee ...

I'm planning to do a "drive-by" photo tour later this week of the azaleas at some of the antebellum houses in Vicksburg (plus, a few of my favorite neighborhoods, too!) ... and hope you will come back for the "tour."