Sunrise on a misty morning

Maricopa co. AZ.

A study in Nature (in Spring)

Today is the vernal equinox - the first day of spring. My Hellebores have been blooming for two months now - not waiting for the day!

Love the over the shoulder look from this Eastern Kingbird.

Woodbine Beach, Winter Station installation, entitled, "Revolution". OCAD U.

Ben Chang, Anna Pogossyan, Amr Alzahabi, Carlos Chin, Iris Ho, Tracee Jia, Krystal Lum, Adria Maynard, Purvangi Patel, Judiette Vu

I took this picture in Sloughhouse Valley, outside of Sacramento California.

Star of Bethlehem- Ornithogalum umbellatum is a total garden thug in my yard. Popping up in the flower beds and the lawn. I have no idea how they spread so quickly. Since they come up in the flower beds, they are hard to remove without disturbing the plants I want. These are trying to take over a stand of Coreopsis by our front walk.

Yes, they are pretty but so invasive! They were here when we moved in and in 11 years I have not been able to get rid of them!

This wonderful Hellebore starts out pure white and ages to these wonderful colors. This one was a gift from a friend years ago. It starts blooming in December and continues through spring. What a delight!

Finally it seems there will be no more snow or cold weather! Our winter had a warm spell followed by unusually cold weather and many of my plants have suffered. I lost my lovely Rising Sun Redbud and it seems all of my lavender has died. Add to it all that the deer ate and it's sad but there's still a lot of beauty.

HFF

Coming into bloom now! I have 2 of these trees and this one is loaded with flowers. I'll get a picture of the tree when they fully open.

In just a month or so, my Cherry trees will be blooming! Nice to remember on a gray, winter day!

I got this little tree from a neighbor when she discovered several volunteers in her yard. I have it in a pot up on the deck so the deer can't eat it while it's still small. I have no idea which cultivar it is though there are several potential candidates. I love the red edges on the green leaves and the deep red stems.

All our other Japanese maples are red varieties so this really will stand out!

At the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh NC. A lovely place.

I lifted, divided and replanted all my Iris two years ago. Seems I lost some that I loved and I thought this little yellow was among them, but to my surprise it came back this year!!

More rain and thunderstorms today...hope for more sun soon!!

Do view large!

Back cover image

is going on when our president insults our neighbor and closest ally??? Not to mention all our other allies. I try to stay away from politics here but I am appalled and ashamed by what's happening.

I hope all my Canadian friends know that the majority of us do not share the opinions of the orange menace.

white

Forgot its name flower in Chicago Botanic Garden

I love Clematis in all their stages from bud to seed!

That's what these Columbine reminds me of. This variety was in the yard when we bought the house. It gets to be almost 3' tall and is lovely!

My Honeysuckle is in bloom and the fragrance is heavenly!

White Iris in my garden. I don't know what variety this is- it was a hand-me-down from my mother's garden.

So at last there was an egg in the nest. The female will lay one per day until all are laid and then sit the nest. I can't wait to have more Bluebirds in the yard!!

The tiny line of hikers (upper left) provide a bit of scale to this beautiful scene.

From inside the darkened rooms of The National Trust's, Moseley Old Hall is the view of the delightful Knot Garden, which is planted to a 17th century design.

National Trust. Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands County.