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Crocuses [Crocus vernus]
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Warsaw, April 01, 2004
Crocuses' fields - my dream
We have spring in Warsaw already. Today the sky was deep blue and the sun shined all the day long, warming the nature waking up after long winter sleep. For many years my biggest dream was to visit mountains at the time of Crocuses' florescence. The best time would be the Easter, but I afraid that this warm weather may end the florescence earlier. Few minutes ago I called hostel in Chocholowska Valley in Tatry. I was told that Crocuses already appeared and according to the lady who picked up the phone, I should be able to admire its' florescence during Easter. Why did I love this species so much? It is very difficult to explain. Perhaps even I am not sure. Perhaps I liked them, because it was the first flower I gave to my first love? – perhaps all this started much earlier? The true is that all this started during my childhood. I used to visit mountains as well in the summer as in the winter, but never in spring, when the first flowers start to flourish and among them are my favorite ones. My greatest dream is to have enough time this year and to visit the place where these flowers may be admired in their natural scenery. Few days ago I have found some nice pictures of Crocuses in the Internet, but this did not make me satisfied, I really need to have my own photographs. |
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Zakopane, April 10, 2004 Crocuses fields - my dreams came true
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We have started our journey late Friday. Landlord was told that we may arrive very late, so he awaited us having lights turned on till midnight. After greetings we had just one question: "What about Crocuses, do they bloom yet?" The answer was "yes", but they were hidden after two days of snowfall. Did it mean that our expedition would not succeed because of this fresh snow? We had to wait for the answer till the next morning. I expected the change of the weather, and hoped that snowfall was not significant in some parts of Tatry. Well, at the morning I was very disappointed. All of the mountains were hidden under the heavy snow like it wouldn't be Easter. It rather reminded Christmas. |
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At noon we decided to visit Chocholowska Valley anyway. It was the second time, when I understood that regardless of the spring in the calendar, winter tyres were a must. The deep snow made totally impossible to enter the parking lot for these cars which were not equipped with winter tyres or chains. There were a lot of snow everywhere with a volume exceeding my earlier expectations. It was very difficult to guess, how thick was the snow cover and if it really covered the Crocuses. |
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After several hours of walk in winter scenery, just at the entry to the big valley where the shelter waits for tourists, I noticed with a great surprise several violet flowers trying to stick out from the white snow. I saw my lovely flowers in their natural environment, in one of the two existing in Poland. There were just several flowers, so no wonder that I tried to shoot them from every position. Then, when we continued walking, I have found even more of them. After some time I understood in which places it is easier to find them, so I started to discover more and more with each step. It was sunny day, and it was getting warmer. |
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After short rest in a shelter, we have decided to come back. On our way back there was some small forest church standing at the valley border. This church was surrounded with melting snow discovering hundreds and thousands of beautiful flowers! Our return way was much nicer, because we new that it ended with great success. But was it really over? We even did not prefigure, that it was just the beginning of our adventure. |
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Last two kilometers of our return trip was pure shock for us. Early in the morning, when we woke up, it was strong winter – everything was hidden under the snow. Now, at least half of the snow has gone, and we saw not hundreds, even not thousands of flowers, these were fields full of violet flowers. Some of the flowers tried to break through the snow, while some other were blooming already on the fields free from the snow. Both of the views were wonderful. I never have seen such an amusing sighting, ever before. I have shot several roles of films. These were more than hundred of pictures, and several of them were charming. |
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We came here just for several days, but already the first day allowed us to shot the best pictures. I never would forget the day, which started with severe winter, but ended with warm spring evening. It was magnificent and unforgettable adventure. |
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Adam Wiktor Kamela |
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