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.