Along the same theme as yesterday, here are several pictures I took this week at Saint Stephen’s Green. If you want to really see how much the place is changing, go back to my post on January 28. The two most noticeable changes are the many blooming flowers and the significantly larger crowds of people (though I patiently waited to avoid the majority in my photos). The trees are also leafing out quite a bit. Enjoy!
I love how new leaves look when they are still shiny and tender, before the sun and wind have a chance to toughen them up.
And of course I couldn’t skip Wolfe Tone!
While I didn’t take pictures of the Three Fates sculpture this trip, I was able to get some shots of the arch by one of the main entrances.
I think the underside of the arch was particularly powerful.
I recognized many of the flowers which made the park more beautiful (thanks for all those hours working with me in flower beds, Mom!), but there were still several for which I didn’t know names.
One thing that makes Saint Stephen’s Green interesting are the numerous sculptures that are scattered throughout the park. Most of them are statesmen and politicians who worked and argued on behalf of Irish rights and Irish freedoms throughout the last few hundred years. Lots of national pride here!
This tree was fairly glowing with light yellow-green pollen from these unusual “flowers.” As a side note, I recently found that Benadryl and other antihistamines are not available over the counter here, but one must be given a prescription by a doctor to receive them. That was a few days after my current Benadryl supply had been exhausted… I was so very happy when some friends from the States were able to get some for me on short notice and bring it with them!
As I think I’ve mentioned before, the attitude towards dogs here is vastly different than I’m used to in the US. Instead of “every dog but mine is a potential killer and for everyone’s safety, *must* be on a lead,” it is quite common for people to let their dogs run and frolic off-lead. I have yet to be the recipient of even a passing sniff as dogs trot by me; rather, I am completely ignored, much to my dog-loving soul’s chagrin. This small terrier was having a fantastic time jumping in and out of the fountain, rolling in the grass, and garnering much attention in general. Show off!
The trees are nearing the end of their blooming, but still look beautiful when seen from a distance.
When I am out and about taking pictures, I generally don’t take pictures of other people out of respect to their privacy, Saint Patrick’s Day being the necessary exception! However, I did take a few on this trip to the park, and afterwards spoke with the girl, who gave me her email address so I could send her the photos.
There were also a few displays of tulips mixed with other blooming flowers that were quite lovely. I was not the only person contorted into strange shapes in order to take pictures!
What a gorgeous day at the park!