While our planet’s daily rotation on its roughly north-south axis and its annual trip around the sun are not brought to you by the colour red (or green, or blue, or any other colour for that matter). But, colour sure has a big influence on our daily loves – our moods, what we eat, how we decorate our homes, what we buy, our decisions and more.

For this month’s installment of the photo blogging challenge, I’m sharing five colourful moments:

1. Robin redbreast

Once each year – usually in late March/early April – Robin redbreast appears to sing about the arrival of spring. It was late March when I first spotted an American Robin in Calgary, but it wasn’t until early April that I spotted on in Canmore. That splash of red on a snowy day triggered a big smile. 🙂

2. Banners

Between the big snowfall in early October and the big snowfall the last weekend of April, winter has lasted almost seven months here. Calgarians can soak up a free dose of green by heading to the Devonian Gardens on the uppermost level of the downtown shopping centre. This month, colourful banners hung from the ceiling, depicting the spring flowers that will finally bloom in May and June.

3. Rainbow salad

For the past twelve weeks I have focused on eating a more healthy diet, mainly by eating more vegetables. Most days I eat a large rainbow salad based on a mix of dark-green lettuce, kale and purple cabbage plus a whole bunch of other veggies (including leftover oven-roasted vegetables), all topped with a couple of tablespoons of sunflower and pumpkin seeds. I call it my rainbow salad. Sometimes it covers the whole plate. Other times, I reserve a bit of space for some protein.

4. Prairie crocuses

Some years, the prairie crocuses sprout before the first of April. This year, it was mid-month before we spotted pops of purple and yellow on grassy, south-facing hill sides. And while the bumble bees aren’t around just yet, a bee-fly was busy loading up pollen from these spring beauties.

5. Bright and beautiful

The last weekend of April I headed to Comox, BC for a family ladies’ getaway – the first one in several years. While I enjoyed watching the Canadian Forces Snowbirds fly, bird watching, a visit to the spa and walks along the seashore, it’s the love and laughter shared with these colourfully-jacketed ladies that made it a weekend to remember. 🙂

How does colour make your world go round? Want to know how colour makes a difference in the lives of other photo blogging challenge participants? Head over to A ‘lil HooHaa and look for the link-up at the bottom of host PJ’s post.

While you’re there, please consider joining us next month! Participation is like taking on a low-stress photo assignment, which you can use to refine your photography skills. Any camera will do: your phone, a pocket-sized point and shoot, the DSLR that’s been gathering dust somewhere or a film camera. For each month’s theme, you’re asked to share five photos; the amount of accompanying text is up to you. The next theme will be posted at a ‘lil Hoohaa in early May.