Sunday, March 20, 2011

Soggy Start to Spring


Branches, pine cones, and trees fell overnight because of the wind. The rain continued. Spring slipped in unnoticed.

One year ago: The Shadow Knows

Two years ago: Pipevine Swallowtail

Saturday, March 19, 2011

What a Goose

More birds were out in the rain and taking advantage of the new waterways. The wind now is excessive. I'm expecting the power to go out.

One year ago: Delectable

Two years ago: Berry Future

Friday, March 18, 2011

Not the River

Ducks were happy with the expanded paddling territory after normally being confined to the river (visible in the background between the trees on the riverbank). The rain continues. We got quite wet and windblown.

One year ago: Wist-ful

Two years ago: Voila Viola

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Shamrock

My favorite rooftop park was in fine form today. A bit of sun appeared. The flowers and I basked.

One year ago: The Orange and the Green

Two years ago: Celebration

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Really

We had a day without rain for once. Clouds still with us. But, being able to see the moon tonight was a nice change.

One year ago: Black Velvet

Two years ago: Striae

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Cherry Foam

Water is standing in puddles almost everywhere. The river is higher. But, it's not very cold.

One year ago: Rock On

Two years ago: Beware

Monday, March 14, 2011

Peel Me One

I think we need to abolish this ridiculous daylight savings time thing. Of course, the extra hour of daylight was consumed by clouds and the remnants of the cloudburst from last night. The Muscari looked good in the gloom.

One year ago: Nut Case

Two years ago: First Blush

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Turkey up a Tree

I'm amused by the size contrast between yesterday's bird in a tree and today's. It was cloudy and windy out there. Just now we might have had a few flakes of snow.

One year ago: Delicate

Two years ago: Passive Aggressive

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Resumption of Activity

Hummingbirds are the happiest of birds. Yes, I anthropomorphize. The sun was out.

One year ago: For the Masses

Two years ago: Naturalized

Friday, March 11, 2011

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Serrated

It rained in the middle of the day. I saw the clouds but felt none of the moisture. Maybe gray days are actually longer?

One year ago: The Pips

Two years ago: Mini Mountains

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Prints

Oak leaves left behind their shadows on the sidewalk. The other types of leaves left little trace. Something to search for when you're tired and looking down.

One year ago: Tickled

Two years ago: Scroll

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Jumpin' Jack

Pumpkin sprouts are popping up in the final resting place of last year's jack-o'-lanterns. Will they stay or will they go? I'll decide later.

One year ago: Last Hurrah

Two years ago: Remember Bee

Monday, March 7, 2011

Whirligig

There was sun in the morning although clouds came crowding in by late afternoon. A busy day. I'm exhausted.

One year ago: Black Phoebe

Two years ago: Not a Golf Ball

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Belted

It rained almost all day. The storm caused a tree to fall across our regular path. On the alternate route we saw a kingfisher who, of course, took wing when I tried to get closer.

One year ago: Filaree

Two years ago: Burning Down

Saturday, March 5, 2011

White Stripes

More adventures with houseplants. There was sun this morning through the windows. Now there's a drippy rain trying to act determined.

One year ago: Fan

Two years ago: Chain Gang

Friday, March 4, 2011

Cushion

It's odd to be above a flowering tree. But so we were. It was a pillowy mass of blossoms on a sunny morning.

One year ago: Resolute

Two years ago: Nestled

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Edged in Red

Warmer outside with mostly clear skies. And here's a photograph of a houseplant. Where are my priorities?!

One year ago: Still Going

Two years ago: Paper Crown

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Pastels

There were intermittent showers during the day. Sometimes the wind howled. The evening was calm.

One year ago: Yet Again

Two years ago: Reversal

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Fading to Gray

I waited for the sunset to reflect peach and purple tones. I either blinked at the wrong time or it didn't happen this evening. The clouds were striking anyway.

One year ago: Vinca Minor

Two years ago: Humble

Monday, February 28, 2011

Dream in Pink and White

The day had a dreamy quality to it. Probably because it was Monday and an abrupt change from the previous two days. Not half bad, though.

One year ago: Tree Swallow

Two years ago: Silly

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Spiral

I don't think it got as cold as predicted this morning. We went out into a perfectly sunny day. A line of fifteen turkeys trotted by intent on making for the river.

One year ago: Squeaky Clean

Two years ago: Changeable

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Cold Blue

I was surprised that there was no ice at the edges of puddles this morning. A hard freeze is forecast for early tomorrow. People seemed to be curtailing their activities but the birds were out in force including two hawks sitting side-by-side on a branch--something I've never seen before.

One year ago: Someday We'll Find It

Two years ago: Into the Blue

Friday, February 25, 2011

Basilicum

The colors of purple basil are pretty neat. The weather, however, was dreadful this morning with a tornado nearby this afternoon. Now it's cleared out but is very cold.

One year ago: On the Way Up

Two years ago: The Choir

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Cold Comfort


The rain brought out different hues on the tree trunk. The colors were warm. I was cold and wet.

One year ago: On the Way Down

Two years ago: Shroomhenge

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

...I have tried in my way to be free...

There's something about hummingbirds. This one was the lord of all he surveyed--at least for a few moments. Then he was gone.

One year ago: White Wash

Two years ago: Forsooth

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Zigzag

I like sunny days. Therefore, I must have liked today. Should have been true.

One year ago: Camellia Parade

Two years ago: Popcorn

Monday, February 21, 2011

Popping

Although colder than normal, it was still a wonderfully spring-y day. I tried to take a picture of a turkey vulture. But, I'll have to settle for blossoms instead.

One year ago: Great Red Spot

Two years ago: Baby 'brellas

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Reflecting

It was a calm day. Puffy clouds were everywhere one looked. Even reflecting in the river.

One year ago: Shake, Rattle, and Run

Two years ago: Calm

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Half Bright, Half Dark

It was a wonderful thing to be able to get outside for a walk without dealing with a storm. Some showers later in the day. It's a cold, clear night.

One year ago: Profusion

Two years ago: The Blob

Friday, February 18, 2011

Dark and Soggy

New spring leaves are on the trees. It was dark and raining and hard to see them today. Pretty cold out, also.

One year ago: Lilium

Two years ago: Spines

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Opening Soon

Huge puddles are lying in wait. I did see the sun briefly. Then the clouds won.

One year ago: Red Abutilon

Two years ago: Soggy Mess

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Bright Spot

Brilliant sunshine at times today. Rain came in droves. Then out came a rainbow.

One year ago: Trumpet

Two years ago: Spikes

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Consistent

On a cloudy day daffodils are a cheering sight. They bobbed from side to side in a wild dance. The wind is here but the rain is holding off.

One year ago: Blossom Time

Two years ago: Creeping

Monday, February 14, 2011

After the Storm

Early morning rain and wind snatched the petals from flowers. The puddles dried quickly. Blustery weather left us a sidewalk Valentine.

One year ago: Beads

Two years ago: A Valentine

Sunday, February 13, 2011

On the Lookout

It sounds like this might be the last sunny day for a week. I hope that's not the case. But, the plants could use the rain.

One year ago: In the Hollow

Two years ago: A Moment in the Sun

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Mentha piperita

Another weekend with wonderful weather. Tried to be productive. Mostly I wasn't.

One year ago: Green Moss

Two years ago: Branching Out

Friday, February 11, 2011

Wee Violet

Another beautiful day capped off by a stunning sunset. We made it to the end of a very long the week. It's a wonder how seven days sometimes feels like seven months.

One year ago: One a Day

Two years ago: Meet Roy G. Biv

Thursday, February 10, 2011

More of a Good Thing

The day was classified as a gorgeous one. Sun streamed through windows. Half a moon rose.

One year ago: Huddled Mass

Two years ago: Nose Nipping

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Bed of Nails

The swirling pattern of the cactus spines initially drew my attention. But then the snail caught my eye. It was very much alive and didn't mind its pointed perch.

One year ago: Feather

Two years ago: At the Root

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Proof

It was not a day to walk under palm trees. Windows blew open and leaves swirled in columns. It was colder but still felt like spring.

One year ago: Lenten Roses

Two years ago: Fungus Among Us

Monday, February 7, 2011

By Day

I looked up and there was the moon giving the world a big smile. I also saw the first daffodil of spring. And, the ornamental pear trees are blooming.

One year ago: Spooling

Two years ago: Fading Fast

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Crescent Through Trees

I think it was probably close to another record high temperature today. The wind buffeted us about quite a bit. It felt like a day in late March or even April.

One year ago: Marching

Two years ago: Gathering Moss

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Myrtle

We had a record high temperature as well as wind today. By evening the sunset was amazing. As the sky faded to black the barest sliver of a moon became visible.

One year ago: Open

Two years ago: Diamonds Uncut

Friday, February 4, 2011

Uphill

Highs and lows today. The sun joined us. Felt wonderful outside but I couldn't stay warm inside.

One year ago: Lemon-Scented

Two years ago: Storm's A-Comin' (We Hope)

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Gung Hay Fat Choy

Today it was quite obvious that the days are truly getting longer. Well, obvious that there are more minutes of daylight. That sounds better.

One year ago: Purple

Two years ago: Miner's Detail

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Pickle, Anyone?

My herbs are taking over. The weather was like spring again today. I guess the groundhog was right.

One year ago: City Lights

Two years ago: Candlemas

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Thicket

The north wind returned and cleared out the valley. Everything seemed fresh. Brisk out there tonight.

One year ago: Corking

Two years ago: Concerned

Monday, January 31, 2011

Whiteness

We had a sunny afternoon. It's a crystalline night. Orion is easy to find.

One year ago: Corking

Two years ago: Wishes

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Earthstars

Earthstars are supposed to be common fungi and act something like barometers--popping up in low pressure periods before rain (it was rainy this morning & again now). Before today I'd never seen one before. Those that had already lost their spore cases looked like exploded acorns but I think they were probably Astraeus hygrometricus or a close relative.

One year ago: Two for Joy

Two years ago: Pac-Man

Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Egret Had Landed


Against the norm, I'm happy to be hearing rain patter on the roof right now. The fog may flee. Sounds good.

One year ago: Struggling

Two years ago: Veins