Thanks for visiting the First Daffodils blog in 2008. A special thanks, also, to all of the photographers who permitted us to use their daffodil photographs on these pages. Most of all, a round of applause to the daffodils around the world, “who” gave us so much joy as we watched spring arrive.

Now that the daffodils in the Northern Hemisphere have had their time in the sun (and the snow), we’ll have to find other occupations to fill our time until the daffodils come out next spring.

We will post some additional photos from 2008 sometime this summer. Then we’ll take a break until January 2o09. Thanks again for stopping by, and see you next year.

Day Dreaming photo used with permission, courtesy of tmalinski

The spectacular daffodil images just keep on coming. We contacted the photographer, Tom Malinski of the Canton Camera Club, curious about the story behind this photo, and here is what he reports:

This image was taken at the Laurel Ridge Foundation in Litchfield, Connecticut – better known as the Daffodil fields in Northfield. My wife and I visit this place with many of our camera club friends every year. Depending on the weather, the scenic fields with the pond in the background can have many different moods. This photo of a couple sitting in the middle of the flowers holding hands and daydreaming was very touching.

This image was taken on May 4, 2008.

Lochmaddy daffodils photo used with permission, courtesy of scotproof

Another beautiful “daffodils and water” photo from Scotland, courtesy of scotproof. This pretty image was taken on May 2 at Lochmaddy (in Scottish Gaelic, “Loch of the dogs”) in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.

photo used with permission, courtesy of Mike Organ

We’ve just discovered more beautiful gardens, Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. This image was taken on April 27, 2008.

spring photo used with permission, courtesy of (not a) token gesture

We really like this photo, which looks like it was taken at night. It was actually taken at 10 AM o 2003. It’s in Wordsworth territory, in the Lake District, in Grasmere. We have had only one Lake District photo this year, so we vote to include this one.

open to daffodils photo used with permission, courtesy of maryam momeni

Very nice! This is one of the most artistic Daffodil Windows we’ve seen in 2008. The stunning architecture is enhanced by the daffodils arrangement, and we can’t take our eyes off this photograph.

Photo taken by photographer maryam momeni on April 6, 2008 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Springtime photo used with permission, courtesy of daveblyth1

Pretty daffodils image taken April 19, 2008. Lots of pretty English countryside in daveblyth1′s photostream here.

Baddesley Clinton photo used with permission, courtesy of Nala Rewop

Photographer Nala Rewop has posted this Baddesley Clinton photo which seems bathed in an historic light. As he notes, “This atmospheric house dates from the 15th century and has changed little since 1634.”

We’ve always wanted to live in a moated manor house.

Image taken on March 30, 2008. The daffodils add a springtime radiance to the composition, which is why we think this photo positively “rocks” (or should we say, “moats”).

Spring River photo used with permission, courtesy of slipgrove (Dr. Julia Targ)

Here is another sweet, beautiful image of Chicago Botanic Garden daffodils, taken on May 2, 2008 by Dr. Julia Targ.

Click here for information about the Chicago Botanic Garden, and if you are into daffodils, start planning your visit there in April 2009, when the American Daffodil Society holds its annual convention hosted by the Chicago Botanic Garden.

For some of the best botanic garden photos we’ve seen, check out Dr. Julia Targ’s flickr photostream of the Chicago Botanic Garden in Spring 2008.

Snowman photo used with permission, courtesy of Fe em Brasil.
This snowman lived just outside the town of Watford in the South of England, until the sun came out one day. Thanks to Fe em Brasil for an imaginative shot.

The image was taken on April 6, 2008.