Thursday, March 15, 2018

Crocuses in One Cold Day

It's mid-March, we're finally going to spring. The weather is getting 'warmer' - it's  +3 C (32 F), hurray!
On a shelf at the window a pot of crocuses pleases me. A week ago when I bought crocuses I took them home as quickly as I could because of the frosty weather outside. It's a treat they are in bloom now.



I suppose past February was one of the coldest month here in Saint Petersburg, that frost  -19  C (5 F) I can't remember in some previous years.
On Tuesday when I was driving along the river Neva embankment a view was amazing that I decided to take some photos. 



A view of the St Isaak Cathedral (1846) and the Annunciation Bridge. As you see the river Neva has been partly covered with ice in this area due to the strong river flow.


A view of the Annunciation Bridge and the museum Hermitage (green building in a distance). On the right the Admiralty golden steeple is seen. There has been more ice closer to an embankment.


 
  
Above the English embankment is, the small chapel (on the right) and the frozen sailing vessel near a pier (below). This is the Young Sailor Academy vessel.



Since the water wasn't still totally frozen ducks and seagulls have occupied the spots of open warm water. They tried to find some food there. Looking at water evaporation I thought this open spot will have been iced soon.

Going farther I was utterly astonished looking at the people crossing Neva from one embankment to another. Despite the strong river flow, the insufficiently thick ice and billboards "Is prohibited to walk on ice" there were brave souls or better to say reckless people who decided to shorten their way bypassing the bridge.


A view of the museum Hermitage (Winter Palace, 1762) and the Palace bridge. You can see paths and imprudent people on the river ice.



The St. Isaak Cathedral, the Senate and Synod buildings (1824)  
I've read on internet newspaper Fontanka.ru that the rescue ships are on duty on the river Neva ice. They are air-cushion ships that might come closer to sinking people.

 source: Fontanka.ru



 
When I was back home I gladly sat in the armchair and enjoyed the warmth and comfort. Dark purple crocuses with yellow stamens stretched to the sunlight. It's good that spring will soon come to St. Petersburg.

 

52 comments:

  1. Hello Nadezsa,

    We have the same cold weather here, and tonight it's -6 C. Wonderful purple crocus!
    I have lately read many books about Russia, and I think Hermitagen is so beautiful.

    Happy springtime!

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    1. Yes, it is Marit. I'm glad you're interested in Saint Petersburg and my country.

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  2. Надежда,прекрасные крокусы! У нас тоже стоят холода,,-15-20 гр.День становится длиннее,,солнце выше,,скоро весна...

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    1. Да, чем ближе весна, тем сильнее холода, Надежда. Но как писал Тютчев: "Зима не даром злится..."

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  3. I wish I had 3 C here! the heat is killing me (and my roses) can't wait for cooler autumn days. Crocsuses are beautiful flowers but never saw them in person, it's too hot for them here.

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    1. MDN, if you want you could grow crocuses in a pot inside where the temperature is about 20 - 25 C. Hopefully autumn will come soon to your place, you'll feel more comfortable.

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  4. Oh, we have had a lovely week with mild temperatures, but in the weekend the wind will turn and a cold east wind will bring the frost back in our garden. It takes forever the spring to come. Love your winter pictures though. You can visit the Hermitage every week!! I Just can visit the small Hermitage in Amsterdam. Also nice. Hope for milder temperatures. Fingers crossed. Groetjes Hetty

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    1. Hetty this March is unpredictable here as well. The next weekdays forecast -5 C, sun and wind. Glad you like my photos. But I don't visit Hermitage every week :-) because I spend 3 or more hours here. I usually wait for new exhibition and then go to.

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  5. Hello Nadezda!
    Wonderful pictures of the Cathedral ,the Hermitage and the frozen lake!
    Beautiful Winter scenery! Very preety crocuses!
    Have a nice day!
    Dimi...

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  6. Hola Nadezda, que maravillosas fotos, el lugar se ve hermoso y con mucho frío. Mis Crocus también están en flor. Un fuerte abrazo.

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    1. Hace frio, Lola. Pero esperamos la primavera.
      Gracias!

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  7. Lovely photos but as you say very silly people.

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    1. They are Sue, I would never risk my life on icy river.
      have a nice weekend!

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  8. Winter with such frosts is really bothering you. People walking on a cold thing are mindless. Maybe a bit of catching up, but the ice can break down and after them. I will add that you have a spring trèche at home, blooming crocuses. Regards.

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    1. I agree Giga, ice can break in any moment and the flow of Neva is very very fast. These crocuses are i n bloom till now, it's a beauty.

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  9. Oh my goodness, I worry about the people walking on the frozen river. Hopefully no one falls through the ice. Beautiful crocus to remind you that spring is on it's way!

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    1. Peter, people walk on the ice of the river like they are in hurry, reckless people. Thanks for rescue team three person were rescued off the cold water.

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  10. Ya pronto llega la primavera. Las fotografías son preciosas. Besos.

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  11. Hi Nadezda! Beautiful winter day! Lovely flowers. Have a nice evening;-)

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  12. Your frosty views are pretty but spring needs to get to us and quickly! I can understand how your pretty crocus can be a pick me up on a cold snowy March day. It has been a strange month here as well with three snow storms in two weeks, bulbs trying to emerge and more snow! Keep warm and think spring!

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    1. I've seen on TV the snowy storms in your place Lee and I do agree: the weather is getting strange and unpredictable. I also agree - spring needs to come here as well and faster.
      Happy weekend!

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  13. Lovely crocuses, but I really enjoyed all the scenes of St. Petersburg. I just finished reading "A Gentleman in Moscow," which I really enjoyed. Have you read it? When different places were mentioned, I had to look them up on the map, as I realized I don't know much Russian geography. The icy river is beautiful, but like you, I am ready for warmer weather!

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    1. It sounds like an interesting book Rose. I should read it in translation, thanks for sharing! You're right we are ready to gardening.

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  14. Dear Nadezda,
    that are wonderful Impressions of your hometown St. Petersburg. But it is good to know, that it starts to become warmer now.
    I think we all with, that it would be spring soon.
    Kind regards
    Katharina

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    1. I do hope Katharina the winter ends and spring finally comes here.
      Have a nice Sunday!

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  15. Hello Nadezda, Crocus and Spring go together, how I wish our country's had more Harmony. How beautiful is Saint Petersburg wow, wow, wow.

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    1. Yes, it is Alistair. I love my city, former Northern capital of Russia. My crocuses are faded and I want to store the bulbs to plant them later in the garden.

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  16. Está siendo un invierno muy frío. Ahora por Béjar mucha agua. Dicen que vuelve la nieve los próximos días. Irías bien abrigada para hacer las fotos. Son preciosas. Aquí no hay ninguna flor aún.
    Buen fin de semana Nadezda
    Besos.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. O, no, ojala la nieve no vuelva, Laura. Que el agua se vaya y tu huerto sea listo para alegrarte de nuevos legumbres.
      Buen fin de semana!

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  17. Thank you for the lovely virtual walk in icey Saint Petersburg, Nadezda. Weather is sunny but frosty again and spring put on hold. How long can we wait? Early blooms certainly can help. Beautiful crocuses!

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    1. You ask me: how long? Who knows, Tistou, the climate is changing. We are ready to plant, prune, sow seedlings, clean our gardens...
      Have a nice Sunday!

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  18. Boa tarde, desconhecia a açafrão em flor, tem uma cor linda, a selecção de belas fotos, dá para ver e ficar arrepiado do frio que se faz sentir por ai, este ano tem sido muito frio, por aqui tem andado entre os 15 e os 18 positivos, achamos que está muito frio.

    Feliz fim de semana,
    AG

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    1. Antonio, entiendo que la temperatura +15 C para ti es bastante frío, allí en Brasil. Y quiero que sea +15 C aqui más rápido, es interesante ...
      Buen fin de semana.

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  19. How beautiful the crocuses are, compared with all that chill. It's amazing to see rivers turned to ice. Here it's not cold enough for that, but then we don't get crocuses either, so the cold does produce beauty in the end.

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    1. Juliet, the river Neva was not covered with ice in previous years, but February was very frosty and the river got icy at the end. I can imagine the beautiful autumn in your place, thank you.

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  20. Beautiful photos of your city! It's worth spending cold to contemplate that beauty.
    I like the saffron. Good Sunday!

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    1. Saffrons (crocus) are faded now but their beauty is in my photos, Tania. later I'll plant the crocus bulbs in my garden.

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  21. Complimenti per i bellissimi crocus! Impressionante il fiume ghiacciato, deve fare davvero molto freddo.

    Ti auguro che la primavera torni presto :)

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    1. Thank you pontos, I do wish spring comes soon, thank you.

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  22. Thank you for these stunning photos of the mighty ice covered Neva River, the beautiful bridge,
    Cathedral and buildings. All look wonderful on a sunny day with blue sky. The walkers on the ice make me nervous!
    Crocuses are so cheerful.
    Hope this finds you well, Nadezda and enjoying the week-end.

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    1. I'm well Betty, thank you. There are no more walkers on the ice, it melts day by day due to the plus temperatures here.
      Have a nice week!

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  23. Oh, no! Looks like you are still in a deep freeze!

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    1. No, Jason, there is no a deep freeze at all, the plus temperatures are here and I enjoy sunny days.

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  24. Thanks for sharing the beautiful winter pictures of your St. Petersburg, Nadezda!

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  25. Dear Nadezda
    I'm enchanted with St. Petersburg. I dream to visit this wonderful city.
    Will my dreams come true?
    Nadezda, your photos are beautiful. People walking on the ice are irresponsible.
    Greetings.

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    Replies
    1. Sure, Lucja your dream come true!
      Have a nice day!

      Delete

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