Sunday Safari

We went to Cooley Lake
for our wetland adventure today.

It is Northeast of our house.
A short 45 minute drive.

We wanted to see the ox bow of the Missouri River.

                                                   We hiked for 3 1/2 hours.

                                       

                                                     Great Egrets, Blue Herons

                                     Blue-winged Teal and Green-winged Teal

                                                                  entertained us.

Wild Flowers are blooming.
Johnnny jump-ups,

 Pepper Grass

and dandelions are early food sources

for the bees and butterflies.

My first Black Swallowtail of the season!
I am so happy to see the butterflies.

The Dragonflies are awake

and mating.

The Craneflies also are mating.

As we hiked we could hear the frogs.

They would jump into the water just as we approached.

It was nice a group stayed near the water edge

for photographs.

When a Beaver swam near

the trail we were thrilled.

This wetland is close enough we can go back often.

I would love to see the water lilies in bloom

and maybe a baby bird or two.

Happy Saunday Safari.

Kite Festival

My friend and I went to a kite festival.

It was her first.

It was lots of fun.

Tinker Bell was flying

with lots of other wonderful Kites.

I think I will join my local Kite club.

I would like to know about all the kite events in my area.

They had a tent with information and patches.

I like the patches.

The kite flying field was full

of children and adults flying their kites.

We brought my minature silk butterfly.

She flies from a bamboo stick.

I keep her on a short string.

There were a couple of two line kites.

They are always fun to watch.

With a crowed flying field you have to be careful

to avoid tree eating kites.

Back home we sat on the deck

and watched the birds.

We talked about trip plans

and the garden.

We talked and laughed.

We have been friends since we were

little girls.

I am so pleased to share kites with my dear friend.

I am a kite enthusiast!

Rainy Friday Morning

It is a misty, cool morning.
I am grateful for the rain and
the cool down.

I planted Fuchsia in the north window boxes.
I hung a large basket of Fuchsia on the porch. It is a lovely flower.
The Hummingbirds love it, me too.
It is early for planting out tropicals.
I was told our last danger of frost is now April 15th.
It has always been May 1st.
Climate change has come to my gardens to stay.

The Peonies are in tight bud.
The ants have arrived to help in their unfoldment.

                        I have been planting for the Hummingbirds.
                         They like Nicotiana.
                         I planted a dozen plants in the west window box.
                         I like seeing the hummers up close
                         while I sit at the kitchen table or stand at the sink.

The Crown Imperials are in bloom.
They are lovely and help to deter the moles from tunneling near them.
I would need to naturalize these bulbs all over the lawn and in all the flowers beds.
They only turn the moles aside to tunnel elsewhere.

  I planted strawberries for the wrens.
Hanging baskets make for nice nest spots
and sweet berries, close by for easy nibbling, while sitting on the eggs.

                                    I have been planting seeds this week.

and rescueing an old dress form left at the curb.
Her name is Annabelle.
She is cleaned up now and her base will get fresh paint.

These first two weeks of April have been too warm.

 I hope this cool down stays.

I have many cool season vegetables that are just now sprouting.

Many of the May flowers are blooming.

                                                      The native Columbine is in bloom.

The Rhododendron is in bloom

and the azaleas are in bud.

                  Dogwood blooms make nice umbrellas for tiny folk.

I started planting the deck boxes.

The large lavender pots are beginning to harden off on the porch

before they face the full southern sun.

Summer and Spring are colliding.

I need rainy days.

I need cool April showers.