Nature’s Resurrection: An Easter Journey of Birds and Blooms

Come along with me and explore the beauty of nature’s resurrection in spring! Life finds its way back into the most unexpected places—from a vintage oil can overflowing with fresh spring blooms to a secret bird’s nest tucked atop an old iron pump. There are several more touching photographs of quiet spring moments. Celebrate the birds and blossoms as they reawaken. I’m so glad you’re here to witness the garden’s return with me!

The Robin’s “Return”

To many, the return of the Robin is the first quiet whisper of nature’s resurrection. Did you know that most robins in the USA are actually full-time residents? The robins don’t truly leave us; they’ve simply traded our garden paths for the high, hidden roosts of the winter forest. (Find more fascinating facts about robins in American Robin: Misbeliefs and Facts.) Their reappearance in our gardens feels like a first sign of life.

At this point, I wanted to share and online video of a robin pulling a worm from the soil. I had some “help” from my staff. HiJinx loved seeing the robin at eye-level on the screen! Thankfully, he had the good cat-sense to keep his claws tucked in. If you’d like to watch that video without my staff’s assistance, you can click here. Sorry…I just followed a bit of mental catnip.

In this first vignette, I wanted to capture the early signs of spring that make my heart leap: bright yellow forsythia, sunshiny daffodils, and the softness of pussy willows. The fresh spring flowers contrasts beautifully with the old Dover oil can. A robin stands beak-to-spout as if he’s sharing a secret.

I have an extra special place in my heart for “bluebells.” (Formally known as grape hyacinths, in my family, they’ve always been bluebells.) Right about now, in a little cow meadow near the small country town where I grew up, the valley is covered with them. Picking these flowers is a generational tradition. My parents, my sister, and I picked them there in the 1970s. I even have a sweet photo from around 1969 of my little self, wearing a bonnet and busy gathering bluebells in that same meadow. As my parents became grandparents, they continued the tradition with their grandchildren. The bluebells in this photo came from that very meadow.

Nursery in the Garden

As I look at “Nursery in the Garden” (to your left), I think about how life finds its way back into the most unexpected places. This photo delights me because I love discovering bird nests in surprising spots. Growing up, a robin used to build her nest at the very top of the porch columns. This vintage pump brings those memories rushing back.

The nest in this photo is a special find from Mary’s Gift Shop outside of New Holland. Mary is a horse-and-buggy Mennonite. Her shop is on a working farm where vintage treasures spill into the farmyard. Local kids collect these nests for Mary, and she kind-heartedly pays them for their finds. If you look carefully, you can see a light gray lining—that’s horsehair!

In the upper right corner, a bluebird passes by. It’s almost as if he’s checking on the neighbor’s house. You might wonder: Why can’t this be a bluebird nest? Bluebirds are “cavity nesters.” They want a small, round entrance they can guard. The open top of a pump is too exposed for them; they would feel far too vulnerable to hawks or cats. While I can’t be sure of the original architect, I suspect a wren raised a brood here.

Quiet Miracles in the Nest

Spring’s arrival is truly felt when the first eggs finally appear in the nest. In “Gravy Boat Nest”, a cozy home appears in an unexpected place. I wanted the “miracle” inside the nest to be authentic, so I visited a nearby farm where a lovely lady provided me with real quail eggs.

I never tire of seeing these old-fashioned bleeding hearts arch over the egg. They are a classic heirloom flower that evokes a deep connection to the generations of gardeners before us. A flower shaped so exquisitely like a heart is pure joy!

Complementing the bleeding hearts is a lovely cast of other spring flowers. Vinca wraps my flowerbeds in royal purple each spring. There are pink tulips picked on their very last day of beauty. The bouquet is finished off with soft pussy willows and green moss freshly watered by spring rains. A bluebird “neighbor” pauses to check in on the nest. We aren’t the only ones curious about the life unfolding in the garden.

The Resurrection Hope

Finally, we reach the heart of the season. All the flowers, the nests, and the morning songs lead us to this one truth: He is Risen. This scene is deeply personal to me. The Bible in the photograph belonged to Brian’s mother. It’s open to Job 19:25: “For I know that my Redeemer liveth”. These words were so foundational to her faith that they are engraved on her headstone—a beautiful testimony to the hope she carried.

The colors are breathtaking. The stunning blue of the bluebird wings meets the magenta vibrance of a Niobe clematis. To the right of the Bible, a bloom not-quite-open curls its tendrils across the pages. Sprigs of catmint add a finishing touch. The bluebird takes flight directly from the book of ultimate promises. Life has won! The tomb is empty!

A Heart Full of Joy

I hope these images remind you that you are part of this grand story of renewal. I would be humbled if you chose to include any AzarÉl photographs in your own Easter celebration.

Some of these pieces are so new, they haven’t been added to our display stand yet – let alone on-line! If you see something here you’d like to order, please call or text me at 717-844-9949. My heart has been so full while putting together this tour of nature’s resurrection, and I hope it has brought that same joy to you.

Happy Easter!