
First Green, 2010, photo by Fred Hatt
To celebrate the full arrival of Spring that we’re feeling this week here in New York City, let’s look at buds and blossoms, the botanical embodiment of the surging life force, the butts and bosoms of the plant world.
These photos were taken over more than a decade, on dates ranging from March 21 through May 22, and they’re ordered here by day of the year, no matter the year, so the sequence should give a sense of the process of spring as it unfolds over the weeks – how the first wee shoots appear on the gray bare branches, hints of the green eruption to come, and how the pinks and whites and yellows of early spring prepare the way for the bold, brash colors of the late spring.
As usual, I’m sharing way too many pictures – I love them so much! – so I’ll shut up and let them speak for themselves.

First Yellow, 2010, photo by Fred Hatt

Yellow Willow, 2010, photo by Fred Hatt

Blossoms Under a Metal Roof, 2006, photo by Fred Hatt

Night Blooms, 2006, photo by Fred Hatt

Night Sprout, 2012, photo by Fred Hatt

Springtime Sunset, 2012, photo by Fred Hatt

Blossom in the Wind, 2011, photo by Fred Hatt

Sakura, 2006, photo by Fred Hatt

Renewal, 2006, photo by Fred Hatt

Statue in Spring, 2010, photo by Fred Hatt

Grand Opening, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt

Ready, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt

Fresh, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt

Spring Sun, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt

From the Coccoon, 2007, photo by Fred Hatt

Pink, 2001, photo by Fred Hatt

Red, 2001, photo by Fred Hatt

Spring Fountain, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt

Burgeoning Bough, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt

Unfurling, 2006, photo by Fred Hatt

Tulips and Taxis, 2010, photo by Fred Hatt

Pink Tree, 2001, photo by Fred Hatt

Pink Arms, 2007, photo by Fred Hatt

Restoration, 2005, photo by Fred Hatt

Red Shoots, 2012, photo by Fred Hatt

Etched in Green, 2010, photo by Fred Hatt

Over the Fence, 2010, photo by Fred Hatt

Young Leaves, 2010, photo by Fred Hatt

Bees’ Target, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt

Burning Bush, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt

Flowers in Late Afternoon, 2009, photo by Fred Hatt

Sunset Green, 2009, photo by Fred Hatt

Spring Green and Brick Red, 2003, photo by Fred Hatt

Blossom with Droplets, 2001, photo by Fred Hatt