This is the most beautiful period of the year in my opinion. This is a wild cherry tree [(Prunus avium)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_avium) and it's always first when it comes to blooming. It has a wonderful flower and a pleasant scent but watch out when the petals start to fall down, it makes an imaginable mess. 

![IMG_20190402_132708a.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmYz8HFuVP3wAG5h9a3WJtvdT41BcHefjTJvoryqpCMwXq)

Yesterday I was happy to see it blooming so early. I believe it's still early but it looks like these trees think otherwise. 

![IMG_20190402_132717a.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmY9Py4xojVVKHuUdp46eVcJCGkP3sJWJZHjCuP7PowLbv)

I remember when we were kids there was a similar one in the neighborhood and we could hardly wait to get some fruits. The thing is, the cherries were not what we've expected, far from it. It tasted awful. 

![IMG_20190402_143915a.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmdRL29HwUE4VvjRHHofS7aPTQY8quJU4AaWVC5ijGMfWh)

This is the other interesting flower that comes early in the spring. It's called "Golden Shower" and it appears around spring. The funny thing is it grows as a bush but there are countries where golden shower means a tree, not a bush. 

I said interesting flower earlier because just like the Japanese quince, golden shower has flowers first, then leaves. It's a bit backwards but this is how nature works at times. First the whole bush turns yellow and after the flowers start to fade away, leaves grow. 

![IMG_20190402_132937a.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmT67FdUvnYpJJH7LbGmARBQVqWazQTrc98AZRGQ9WA4ZQ)

I can't finish this post without a dandelion [(Taraxacum officinale)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taraxacum_officinale) photo. Last year I found out that dandelion leaves are edible.  Unfortunately it was too late for me to try it out but maybe this year I'll have the chance to collect some from a safe, pollution-free place.