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....

Contrast

(For a friend from the UK who asked about Idaho.) Looking across a park with the foothills in the background. The park is landscaped and watered, thanks to the Boise River, irrigation canals, and the aquifer that runs under the valley. The foothills are au naturel.   (Click to enlarge the photos to see the detail)  

Here's a closer view of the foothills. They're green now because of the spring rains. But in the summer it's very hot and dry, so they turn brown, as in the photo below.  

Can't you just see a cowboy riding over the ridge? :-)

Musical questions

During moments of daydreaming (or too much wine), I wonder what kind of sound a daffodil would make if it was suddenly given musical ability? How would a chorus of daffodils sound? And what kind of music?    

Yes, it has been a looong week. Good thing tomorrow is Friday....

In bloom

The buds on the tree in the photo I posted on April 9th have finally opened.

Spring!

Shades of rose

No, roses aren't blooming yet, but it seemed right to post this today.

Truths and roses have thorns about them.
--Henry David Thoreau

Send two dozen roses to Room 424 and put `Emily, I love you' on the back of the bill.
--Groucho Marx

Almost there....

Just need a little more warmth and sunshine and they'll bloom.

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. 
~Doug Larson

Twisted

The weather here continues to be restless; even the clouds are knotted. Maybe Spring has been affected by the insane political climate -- or vice versa....

Blooming surprise

With this being our first spring in this house, we've been watching to see what perennials are coming up. I don't know what kind of plant this is, but it's blooming now.  

The buds look like they are enmeshed in silky threads. It's mysterious; I hope we don't start hearing little lavender voices saying: "Feed meeeeeee...."

Willows

Warm, spring weather today. Willows shimmer as the breeze blows. They remind me of long sweeping skirts, gentle rain, pastel paintings.

In some stories, willows are a symbol of wisdom; people seek advice from Grandmother Willow or Willow-Father. But in some English folktales, willows are evil ones who uproot themselves and stalk strangers.

I think these willows are friendly and wise -- just don't mess with their roots....

Touch of spring

Love seeing the crocuses pop up and open! They are little buds of hope after a long winter.

When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other. 
~Chinese Proverb

Ripples

in a stream, sometimes clear, 
sometimes reflecting and distorting
as life always seems to do

Restless

Change of season creates a restless wind. People seem unsettled. Dramatic plays between clouds and light in the sky. Bring a raincoat and a camera. You never know what might happen next.

Rainy reflections

Sometimes a different perspective helps.

Rainbow show

A wonderfully dramatic sky tonight after wind and rain. If you look closely, you'll see a faint second rainbow.

Such vivid rainbow colors....

The sky changed hues.

And the trees blazed into twilight.