1 May 2010: Stop And Smell The Tulips

Mona knows the importance of stopping to smell the flowers!

24 April 2010: Movin' On Up

The baby foxes are back...well not the same ones from last year but new ones. They have also moved their den from under our back shed to a deluxe apartment in the sky. Their new crib appears to be a duplex and there are at least 4 babies living there. No sign of the mama but I am sure she was not too far away.

14 April 2010: Central Park Spring

During a walk through Central Park, I came across ferns in various stages of growth - here are two of my favorites!

13 April 2010: Tip Toe Through The Tulips

Spring in NYC...just magical!

5 April 2010: HDR - Happy Daffodils Returned

The flowers are blooming...spring is here!

3 April 2010: We're Having A Heat Wave!

The flowers have bloomed over night. Just yesterday they were starting to bud and then today boom...they opened their little petals and declared it spring! Heck, I think we went right to summer as it was 86 yesterday and 84 degrees today. So wonderful after a long, cold winter!

19 March 2010: Mow Mow Mow Your Lawn

First day of spring is tomorrow and our grass is already growing (at least the patches above the septic). Bill will be excited to get back on the riding mower soon!

18 March 2010: Green With Envy

Another one of Bill's "green man" carvings. In celebration of spring yet again. You will find a bit more about the green man from a previous post: http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2009/02/23-february-2009-photo-green-man.html

7 May 2009 Photo(s): Blame It On The Rain

On my way back from the gym today, I heard Milli Vanilli's Blame It On The Rain and when I drove into my driveway, the rain had stopped and I noticed the flowers were bathed in my favorite little droplets of water. I feel like a flower photographer these days but I can't help it because the spring has produced such beatiful specimens and unlike Milli Vanilli, they are not faking it. If you are sick of my flower photographs...you can blame it on the rain! And if you want to torture yourself, you can watch MV here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwrL9MV6jSk

24 April 2009 Photo: Heading Out Like A Lamb

With only a week left in April, it is starting to head out like a lamb. The sun is shining and it is supposed to be in the 80s this weekend. The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and my time on the road is almost done for the semester. These daffodils popped up in my yard while I was in Vermont earlier in the week and you can see the tulip tree really starting to pop in the background. It's going to be a good weekend in the northeast! Get out and enjoy the sunshine!

The tulip tree bud is getting bigger...check it out. http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2009/04/13-april-2009-photo-rebirth.html

14 April 2009 Photo: Daffodil Days

Daffodil Days is one of the American Cancer Society's oldest and most beloved fundraising programs. As the first flower of spring, the daffodil represents hope and renewal. To the American Cancer Society (ACS), the daffodil symbolizes the hope we all share for a future where cancer no longer threatens those we love.

Each spring, the Society offers daffodils to donors in appreciation for a contribution. By sending bunches of daffodils to friends, family members, and people touched by cancer, you are sharing a message of hope and raising funds and awareness to help defeat cancer.

This little daffodil is in my yard but had broken or something was trying to eat it. I picked it up and put in on our fence and it made a lovely photo of the day. Even though official daffodil days that support ACS are over, buy someone a bunch of daffodils and make their day! And you can still give to ACS in other ways... http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp?level=0

13 April 2009 Photo: Rebirth

The tulip tree (a type of magnolia) in our back yard is starting to bloom. When I was walking up the driveway this morning, I noticed the first bit of color popping out of the pods. I am going to try to document this particular pod during it's growth process so here is the first picture of it. I love this tree but it is really messy several times a year but the beauty of it when it is in full bloom makes it well worth it. I am sure there will be more pictures to come as the rebirth of our tulip tree continues!
UPDATED April 16th: Here is the bud's progress!


UPDATED April 19th: We had some rain last night and there were a few water droplets on my bud...it should be blooming by the time I get back from VT.

UPDATED April 24th: Not quite open yet but the tree is certainly going to be beautiful when it does.

UPDATED April 26th: In full bloom!
UPDATED April 26th: The Whole Tree!

UPDATED APril 29th: And It's Gone... My bloom has run it's course. The tree is already starting to drop it's flowers and soon the leaves will start.

28 March 2009 Photo: Dog and Cat Tails

Mona, Bill and I went for a walk this morning down to the park. It is a warm day today and the lake is finally all thawed. Mona went in and took her first dip of the season but it only last a few seconds because I imagine the water is still pretty cold.

The cat tails are spreading their seeds and getting ready for the new season to begin. So as not be to outdone by the cat, Mona also felt the need to spread her seeds all over the park as well by marking her territory.

19 March 2009 Photo: Spring Clean Up

Wilson, our Garden Gargoyle, has been snow covered all winter. He watches over our yard from the deck but he doesn't do a very good job. The squirrels are throwing nuts all over the place, the moles and chipmunks are making our yard a mine field of holes, and the bunnies have set up camp in the wood shed and under the deck! As we start to clean up the mess in the yard from the winter, we realize just how big 1.25 acres is. I hope Wilson does a better job this summer watching over our homestead!

18 March 2009 Photo: Spring Has Sprung

While I still think Mother Nature is not done with us, I am happy to see the tulips and daffodils starting to pop up! The last few days have been gorgeous, but tonight they are predicting some possible flurries south of us.

23 February 2009 Photo: Green Man

This is one of Bill's Green Man carvings. These are another set of items that I never paid much attention to until I met him. Now I notice them everywhere.

From wikipedia, "The Green Man motif has many variations. Found in many cultures around the world, the Green Man is often related to natural vegetative deities springing up in different cultures throughout the ages. Primarily it is interpreted as a symbol of rebirth, or "renaissance," representing the cycle of growth each spring. Some speculate that the mythology of the Green Man developed independently in the traditions of separate ancient cultures and evolved into the wide variety of examples found throughout history."

I am ready for the rebirth and for spring so get busy Green Men around the world. It's time for a new cycle of growth!