Heritage Village in Bloom

Japanese Magnolia provide the early February foreground of the

 James M. Calhoun Law Office in Heritage Village. The office is a replica of

 U.S. Senator and Secretary of State John C. Calhoun's law office.
James was John's nephew, and John was a powerful politician from South Carolina

 and one of "The Great Triumvirate" in the 1830s and 1840s. 

 James became a lawyer and planter in Dallas County, Alabama,

 and served in the state House of Representatives and Senate. 

 This one-room, Greek Revival structure was built in the 1830s

 and moved here from the little town of Carlowville.

At the Top

Selma has enjoyed blue skies, flowering Japanese Magnolia

 and spring temperatures this past week, and here is a peek

 at the top of Sturdivant Hall. What a magnificent view 

that must be looking down! The antebellum Greek Revival house

 museum is located in Old Town Selma. 

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Blooming Early

Early blooming Japanese Magnolia coaxed this blog out of hibernation

 into what appears to be a very early spring! 

This photo was taken in mid-January!

 Since starting Selma, Ala., Photo almost 10 years ago,

 I have posted the first blooms of what we call "tulip trees."

 The previous early date was Feb. 7, 2012, and here is a photo

 of the blooms at the same house on Feb. 22, 2008.

 In 2010, they did not appear until March!

Buds Against a Blustery Blue Sky

Many of our Japanese Magnolia began blooming during a warm spell 

a few weeks ago. Well, those are dead now, succumbing to February's

 inevitable quick freezes. These are just budding out and survived

 more than seven inches of rain earlier this week, two blustery days

 and now another frost. But at least the skies are blue again!

Linking to Skywatch Friday

The Pastels of Lauderdale

Spring seems to have sprung on Lauderdale Street, and the pink blooms 

of the Japanese Magnolia do themselves proud

 against the mint green house and turquoise sky. 

This is the Ware-Baker-Jones House that was built around 1859

 and became Grace Hall in 1985. Today, it once again is under restoration. 

Linking to Our World Tuesday and City Daily Photo Blogs

View more "tulip tree" blossoms over at Selma, Ala., Daily Photo's Facebook Page.

February Pinks

February is just blossoming out all over!

We have camellias in the foreground and Japanese Magnolia in the background. 

Almost looks like a Valentine!

See more posts in Our World Tuesday!

Second -Time Bloomer

This Japanese magnolia is blooming, and it's the second time this year! It last bloomed in March during Selma's Spring Pilgrimage.

Photograph by Christine Weerts

Japanese Magnolia in Bloom

Japanese Magnolias, one of the first signs of spring, are flourishing all over Selma. These goblet-shaped blooms have had plenty of rain to coax them awake just after the first warm day.

Spring Blossoms at the Parke House

More Japanese Magnolia!
This time, it is blooming at the Parke House, an 1850's Greek Revival home built by a Selma physician as a wedding present for his daughter.

Japanese Magnolia

The Japanese Magnolia has coaxed its pretty pink blossoms open just in time for Valentine's Day. I found this moss-covered tree on a shady lane between Selma and Dallas avenues.