THE MAGIC OF MAY

There is so much magical beauty in Nature these days...

A clearing in the woods can reveal the sweetest green hues... and some lovely flowers, too!

MONT-CENIS IN MAY

My first outing of the season up to the Mont-Cenis!

The mountain pass, which is located at 2,000 m height on the Italian-French border, is a minor Alpine pass and it's closed in the winter... which at this altitude means until mid-May! The landscape is breathtaking, and the change from winter to Alpine spring is still on its way... The Mont-Cenis is a mountain pass and lake connecting Italy and France, and it is one of the Alpine passes which are closed in the winter. The street has just been opened (usually it gets opened around mid-May, which involves "cutting" the snow which still blocks the shady parts of the road, and cleaning the road from stones and rocks which have rolled down during the long winter months), and spring is just slowly starting to show at this high altitude. The light is amazing, and wild crocus is in bloom, forming lovely white and purple patches. Soon lots of Alpine flowers in the most beautiful colors will cover these Alpine meadows, and Alpine cows will be grazing the high-altitude pastures. It is fascinating to see spring just starting up here, while in the valleys and plains it is almost summer.

I compared the pictures with last year's at the same time of May, and there was more snow last year...

A welcome stop for a hot herbal tea at an Alpine café with a breathtaking view...

The weather can change quickly and dramatically in the mountains... A sudden snow storm!

MAGICAL PATHS

Walking my secret trails... :)

My woods are magical in May!

SWEET MAY

Blue skies and white clouds... Sweet May in my corner of the world :)

FULL SPRING IN MY LITTLE PARADISE

My favorite season is in full bloom in my little paradise!

Don't these green meadows look so very inviting?? :)

SPRING IN THE MOUNTAINS

Spring is climbing up to the mountains!

Green Alpine meadows seen from the Col del Lys (Lys pass), 1,300 m

Spring in Viù, 800 m

SPRING AWAKENING

Spring awekening in the mountains...

While Spring is already in full bloom in the valleys, it is fascinating to see the first signs of Spring in the mountains...

Photos taken on Sunday, April 30th, at 800 m altitude