Spring seems to have come to us, a month early, an absolute novelty, at least for me. I've never seen anything like it before. After a week of winter in January, after the snow melted, after another week of low temperatures, especially at night, the temperature has risen to spring levels.
Already the little spring plants have poked their heads out of the ground and from under the dry leaves. A little warmth, a little sunshine, and presto, these plants are letting themselves be fooled...
Only the old trees that have been through a lot and seen a lot don't get fooled. They don't rush. They are patient. Next month is the time they know to come out of hibernation. I saw this from the most recent walk I took in Herastrau Park, the most beautiful park in Bucharest.
Herastrau Park is located in the northern part of the Romanian capital, in the green area of the city. It was built around the Herastrau lake, almost a hundred years ago.
The longest and most enjoyable walks are in this park. At least once a month, but I haven't written about this place for a long time because I don't want to bore you.
Because it is such a big park there are many entrances here, from different parts of the city. Most entrances are from different squares: Arc de Triomphe square, Charles de Gaulle square, Free Press square... The latter is the entrance I use most often.
I like this entry because I can see and have an optical illusion that intrigues me and that I like. Looking at the photo above, it looks like the neighborhood with those very tall buildings is close. This is just an illusion...
...because you can't see the lake, which is at a lower level. The photo taken 20 meters below changes the perspective.
The park is bordered by an open-air museum, the Museum of the Romanian Village. It also borders the residence of the former King of Romania where his daughter now lives.
The main purpose of every walk in the park is, of course, relaxation. Relaxing in nature, even if it is a smaller and slightly modified nature.
I have an extra interest. I like to observe others who are in the park and I like to photograph them when I can do so without disturbing them.
I saw a couple come to walk the dogs.
I photographed them from behind after they passed me. After pressing the camera's shutter release I realized that I had captured a generally avoided situation in the photo.
At first, I was upset by my capture and didn't want to post it, but then I thought maybe this pose of the dog might express something... maybe he didn't like the walk.
In any case, Frédéric François Chopin did not like what he saw.
There are several statues and monuments in the park. There is an extraordinary monument, a monument to the founders of the European Union.
I think it is a monument located in the best place, where thousands of people walk by. It is located there to remind my compatriots of the importance of the EU and the benefits it has brought to Romania.
This whole story might not interest anyone but I hope you find something interesting in the photos. Because, after all, photos are what it's all about.
Make a point of looking around and up and see what you can find to get shots of that otherwise you may miss.
This is one of the recommendations made by @tattoodjay for those who prefer walking and are used to sharing impressions and photos in his community, Wednesday Walk, every Wednesday, like this one today.
