Fun Monday -- Springtime in Kentucky

Springtime is the topic for this week's Fun Monday. Janis, our host from Life According to Jan and Jer , would like us to share some photos of whatever represents spring to us personally. Spring arrives for me when I catch the first glimpses of redbuds and dogwoods in the landscape. And when I drive through the Bluegrass region of Kentucky and see thoroughbred mares and colts frolicking behind the traditional brown and white fences around our many horse farms.

The photography in this post is the work of James Archambeault who specializes in capturing the natural beauty of all parts of Kentucky. He also photographs cityscapes, events, rural scenery, and historic sites for which Kentucky is known--Louisville Slugger Baseball Museum, Mail Pouch barns, Kentucky Derby. I send these photographs on postcards to people all over the world through the Postcard Crossings Project.

Redbuds and Dogwoods -- for as long as I can remember these two trees were the harbingers of spring to me. I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains and had the view of these beautiful hills in front of me all the time. Starting in March I looked for the first flashes of dark pink and white of dogwoods and redbuds blooming as the hazy soft green spring growth could be seen over the mountains. This old farm on a rural road would be a typical sight in April:

Once spring broke, my father and I used to hike the mountains looking for redbud and dogwood. We also looked for may apple and blue-eyed mary, a viola-like wild flower that bloomed alongside the may apple. This is what you would see in Kentucky's many state parks as well:

Thoroughbred Horse Farms -- beginning in January and going on through the spring many thoroughbred colts are born to mares in the central part of Kentucky, the Bluegrass region around Lexington. Kentucky is known for its state of the art horse farms where future racers are bred and raised for competition all over the world. In the spring you drive past horse farm pastures bounded by miles of brown and white fencing and, if you're lucky, see a young colt hanging close by its mother's side:

Or, mare and foal may frolic joyfully in the spring air:

The colts are especially endearing with those long, skinny legs and short, stubby tails. Just a promise of the speed and power you'll see at the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.

So Janis, whenever I think springtime in Kentucky, it's all about blooming redbuds, dogwoods, and thoroughbred horses. Be sure to go to Janis' places for the links to other Fun Monday springtimes.