Category Archives: Spring

First Day of Spring

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Yesterday, was the first day of [astronomical] spring 2015 AD.  Sunny and nice, it did not live down to the haiku that I posted last week.  That was yesterday.  Today the skies are dull lead gray.  The sun is not visible and the earth is cold and damp.

Yesterday was also the day that my new camera arrived via UPS.  Sylvia had flown off to Florida very early that morning and she had her (it had been our) digital point-and-shoot camera.

While I was for the most part pleased with results from her camera, there were times when the images fell short of my hopes and expectations.

After surfing to Amazon.com and waiting a few days, once again I’m the owner of a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera.  This one has a 60 to 1 zoom ratio.  I’ll show you what that means next week.

Upon opening the package, I removed the battery and charger.  While the battery charged, I read through the basic owner’s manual, installed the lens cap and shoulder strap.

Then with the fully charged battery in the camera, I went outside to look for something that said, “first day of spring.”  I found one single blossom.  It was on the myrtle (aka vinca or periwinkle).

The first (only) blossom found here on 3/20

The first (only) blossom found here on 3/20

Not only is the sun at a far less than favorable angle, but this shot was hand held.  I was amazed at how well the image stabilizer worked.

From beside the road, I looked across at the neighbor’s pasture land.  A couple of curious geese were beside a drainage ditch.  They stretched up their necks to better see the intruder.  I pointed the camera in their general direction and “click.”  Later I cropped the image.

Getting a good look

Getting a good look

I’m really enjoying this camera.  What’s next?

What Was That?

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I sat here this morning trying to remember yesterday’s great idea for a blog post.  :think: The only thought that came to mind was my sister, Maggie’s, FB post: “The biggest lie I tell myself is, ‘I don’t need to write that down, I’ll remember it.’ ”

As I contemplated the truth of that, I heard a raucous chattering.  It could only be one thing.  Sand hill cranes!  And indeed a flight of them organized over our house.  I though I might be able to capture a “grab shot.”  I opened the blinds and picked up the camera . . .  Not a crane in sight.

Then, I saw that they had landed in the field behind us.  I set up the tripod and camera at the office window.  I zoomed in to the max to see if could rescue the moment.  The results were not dramatic.

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Other attempts did not bring better results.

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Canada geese have been around for a while now.  Spring will arrive very soon.

Are you ready?

Echoes of Spring

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I had taken these two photos earlier this spring. I had planned to use them for a Wordless Wednesday post. But the best laid plans . . . as they say.  Indeed, events overtook my plans and I never did post this.  If flowers make you happy, then this is for you.

A crocus, and another crocus

There is an explanation for that silly caption.  The truth is I don’t know if the plural of crocus is crocuses or crocii.  The spell checker indicates a preference for the former wouldn’t the scientific approach lean toward Latin and the latter?  Can you help?  One thing for sure, the crocus on the left is not going to work today.

What's that on the lovely flower?

As you can clearly see the crocus on the left has a bug.  Cough.  Cough.  I’ll try to make it in to work tomorrow boss. 😉  Pity these pix weren’t posted on a Wednesday.  If that had happened, you would have been spared such horrible humor.

Crocus

Lovely Miss Crocus,
Announces arrival of spring,
With merry colors.

Why Won’t Winter Go Away?

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We woke Wednesday morning to this sight.  Yuk!  And double yuk!  Enough already.  The calendar says it is spring.  I suspect that the calendar is lying.

I haven’t taken the opportunity to share a haiku with you in some time.  This one needs more work, but it does express what we are experiencing this week.

Wintry Wind
The cold strong wind blows
It chills the bones and moves on
Leaving us behind

Spring will come.  At least it always has.  Hasn’t it?

Signs of Spring

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Spring is on the way.  Sunday, I saw a red-winged blackbird perched on a cattail.  That’s a sure sign of spring.  Later in the afternoon, I saw a boat tailed grackle.  Yesterday, I saw a blue bird.  A few years back, we had a couple of blue birds winter over here in this neighborhood.

The signs are not only to be seen in the fauna.  The flora are showing through with sprouts beginning to poke through the ground.  Yellow crocus can be seen beside the house.

Above average temperatures are predicted for for the next week plus.  Add to that a lot of rainy days and it becomes obvious that mud will rule the days ahead.

You may love spring, I am ambivalent.  Spring is nice, but mud season is not!

I can remember before we moved to this country paradise.  In those days, I could wash my car and expect it to look good for days.  But that is only a memory . . .

Would I go back?  No, I don’t think so.

I’ve lived in the city and I’ve lived in the country.  I’ll take the country.

What’s That in the Road?

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The intersection marks the northwest corner of our property. As you can see in the foreground, when the frost goes out of the road in spring we are left with a muddy, miry mess. It makes one wonder.


I was talking with a neighborhood farmer who is also a friend. I mentioned what a mess the road was. He said it was indeed one of the worst places along our road. He then asked me, “Do you know how they kept cars from sinking in that part of the road?” I replied that I didn’t. He then proceeded to tell me that, “Years ago, when I was just a kid, they put logs across the road to provide stability. Before that, every spring a car or two would get completely bogged in there.” As a typical and curious guy, I wanted to know more.


This spring, I noticed that logs were “peeking” in some places in the road. Winter freeze had heaved them and snow plows had cleared off the dirt. Before the County Road Commission began spring maintenance on the road, I took the camera and walked the area and took the shot above. In the photo, you can see the top of a log that’s a bit over 4 inches in diameter.


Here’s another log.


And yet another. These three weren’t the only ones that were visible.

A couple of days later, the county road crew laid down some new dirt and gravel in the road and they graded it to get rid of the potholes that had developed when the frost went out of the ground. The photo on the banner at the top of this blog is one that I took right after they finished that work.


Living on a dirt road is okay. In fact it can be interesting. There is one drawback, and I’m not talking about bumps in the road.

If you live on a dirt road, you can’t keep your car clean and shiny. If you can live with that, it’s a great place to be.

I hope you come back and visit us here on our secondary road. You’ll find a warm welcome.

Welcome Guests

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Easter Sunday turned out to be a sunny and very pleasant day. Early service at church followed by breakfast in the community center. The choir presented an excellent Easter cantata with DVD video. Then we returned home to prepare for visitors.


The first hyacinth is in full bloom now. As you can see, I’m still having a problem with macro focusing. The first violet is also in bloom.

The best part of the day was when our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter came for dinner. We had a good meal and then sat around the table playing Skip-Bo. All too soon, it was time for them to return home and we were left alone.


You might think I’m proud of our granddaughter who excels at academics and athletics. If so, you would be absolutely correct. We had a great time with her and her parents.

I hope you also had a blessed Easter weekend.

The Glory of Spring

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As is my usual custom, I uploaded Monday’s post on Sunday and set it to post at 4 AM Eastern Time. For that reason the photo of the crocus flowers seemed appropriate at the time. However, Monday morning looked like:


There was already snow on the ground from over night. As I finished breakfast, it was coming down in huge flakes. It’s not unusual for us to have snow in the first half of April. The good news is that the snow doesn’t last. And that’s the way it was on Monday. After lunch the snow was gone.


The snow drops (above) are beginning to open. I’ve been watching them everyday, but it has remained cool — even for this time of year. Perhaps that’s why they’ve been slow in opening. Nevertheless, spring is winning.


I snapped this pic after 7 PM on Monday. (This time of year, it stays light here until after 8:30 PM.) The daffodils are beginning to open. They had been peeking for almost a week, but now they are opening.

Believe it Lin. Spring is really coming! You’ll probably want to have coffee with your bratwurst at the ballgame on Sunday.

When I see Reggie Girl‘s pictures from Georgia and Jackie‘s shots from Oklahoma, I can see that your growing season is well underway.