Mean green sheen

There's a creek not too far from our house which is a haven for ducks and geese. Here's one handsome guy who sort of posed for me before sliding down the bank into the water.

For the birds

Lots of birds and birdsong now when we walk. Mourning doves, redwing blackbirds, sparrows, swallows, robins, juncos, and others I can't identify. We had a flicker (woodpecker) grazing in our lawn for a few days. A heron was browsing for fish in the creek. Finches have built nests on the awnings on the windows at my office. And the hummingbirds have returned -- our feeder has been out for a week, but today was the first time we saw them come for drinks.

Leisurely blooms

For the longest time, I didn't think the little bulbs on the end of the branches were alive. They looked kind of crusty, like leftovers from last spring. Other trees and flowers bloomed, but this tree refused. 

But, it fooled us. It was just taking its own sweet time during this cool spring we've had. And now the blossoms are sturdy and gloriously pink.

Translucence

Like delicate china. Like some people?  

Last year I read a Japanese Manga titled "Translucent", by Kazuhiro Okamoto, about a girl in her teens who discovers her body is fading, especially when she's sad, stressed, or feeling disconnected from others. During the story, she learns what it takes to make herself visible and strong. 

Of course, for these tulips, translucence is only an illusion....

Tree glyphs

Enough sunshine lately to allow trees to make their marks wherever shadows fall.

River view

Spring is slowly appearing along the Boise River (many more leaves have come out in just the past few days). For those of you who live elsewhere, the Boise River runs through town. The river level is mainly controlled through flood gates at the Lucky Peak Dam which is east of Boise. For some people, it's not "officially spring" until the flood gates are opened and the "rooster tail" of water roars into the river.  

If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water. 
 — Loren Eiseley

Brilliance

Incredible dramas in the sky lately. This one "sounds" like music, crescendo to a full, ringing chord that reverberates long after the clouds have drifted apart. Perhaps a "note" to carry on through another Monday....