Just in Time for Easter

My purple crocus have been showing their small pointy buds for several weeks but with the colder than usual March we've had they have resisted blooming until yesterday when the sun was shining and temps finally hit the upper 50's. 

May you have a happy and blessed Easter and a beauty filled Spring. 

Linked to Macro Monday. 

Last Year's Sunflowers

Last year's sunflowers get one more time to shine before Spring garden clean up. 

Linked to Skywatch Friday. 

Crocus by Twilight

Day grays into twilight

the woods is brown and still

the cold earth beneath my feet 

is devoid of life and breath, 

I search the twilight

for signs of life

no robin sings,

 no foxes in the den

not even a green shoot 

from the frozen earth

a chill wind blows in my soul

and then my eye catches

a patch of white--not of snow

but a clump of blossoms

white tinged with purple gray--

as if fallen from 

the cloud lined sky--

a small breath of warmth, 

a little glimpse of hope. 

White crocus in the twilight. 

A few more birds...

The first day of spring was cold and blustery. No flowers blooming here and barely any signs of spring. I filled the feeders and spent the day cozily inside watching snowflakes fall and the birds swarm the feeders. These are my favorites of the photos I took today--all were taken through the glass door. 

Tuffed Titmouse

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Male House Finch

Grouchy Blue Jay

Female Cardinal

Linked to Wild Bird Wednesday.

Oak Tree Sunrise

The sun rises behind a large oak tree in the middle of a neighbouring farmer's field. 

Linked to Skywatch Friday. 

White Breasted Nuthatch

Linked to Wild Bird Wednesday. 

Little Red Wagon

 It isn't quite spring yet, but we finally had a day that almost felt like spring. I took advantage of the warm weather and sunshine to do some cleaning up in the yard and garden--with the help of this little red wagon. 

Linked to Macro Monday. 

Spring is in the Air

Bluebirds sing in the orchard--

red-winged blackbirds in the swamp

the giant wings of sandhill cranes beat through the clouds, 

and from the frozen ground

snowdrops have sprung into bloom.

(Still a couple of weeks until spring and warmer weather here in Michigan, but the snowdrops and the return of the birds from the south with slightly warmer temperatures are a reminder that winter will not last forever.)

Half the Sun

Sunset this evening. 

A Few Song Birds

The exciting news around here is that my husband surprised me with a new camera--a Canon 7D and two lenses--an 18-135 mm and a 75-300 mm. I've had it for about a week and have been having fun trying to use it. I haven't gotten past the auto setting, but a photographer friend is supposed to be coming today to show me how to  use some of the other settings. 

I've never owned anything but a small point and shoot until now.  I'm thrilled to finally be able to take photos of the many birds that come to our feeders. If any of you have tips on taking photos of birds I would love to hear them. This is all so new to me. 

Nuthatch

Female house finch

Cardinal

Hairy woodpecker

Just Saying Hello

In the barnyard, Emily says hello to Miss Calico.