Outlook

A full day of nature in the desert. Wind and clouds moving in. We'll have more time to play tomorrow.

Nesting

This little mourning dove built a nest right in a high traffic area. Maybe that will keep predators away? I tried not to disturb her though the wind probably did enough of that today.

Sky Corsage

Too windy to go for a long walk. Small branches are falling on the roof. The hummingbirds are being blown off course.

California's Gold

The world is abuzz. Everything is alive. I feel great.

Fearful Symmetry

The Tiger Swallowtail could not get enough of these flowers. It would waft away then come zooming back for more. I'm zooming into the weekend on glorious weather.

Syrphid

It's wonderful to work regularly in the garden again. The little flies hover over the flowers. I hover over the weeds.

Unwanted

Day of frustration and vexation. Then, a full-blown infestation. Evening arrived: cause for celebration.

Fly Away Home

Ladybugs patrolling the garden, marching up and down leaves and stems. Flowers in bloom. Just spring.

Remains

There's a grove along the river that burned last year. The blackened trees that are still standing aren't leafing out. They seem to be a haven for birds, however, who were happily burbling away.

Lone Lupine

A mellow day with sun and showers. I wandered out for a short walk without my umbrella and was pelted with fat drops. The weekend goes so fast.

Redbud Row

Twenty degrees cooler than yesterday. We didn't quite finish our walk before the rain came. I hope this storm's a soaker.

Pipevine Swallowtail

A butterfly touched down briefly on my hand, lizards did push ups on logs, and I startled a turkey into flight. Grass is nearly knee high now. Altogether a perfect first day of spring.

Berry Future

78 degrees! Started putting a dent in the weed pulling. Yesterday I saw the first bumblebee of the season but "just" honeybees today.

Voila Viola

Heater off, possibly for the season. Long lunchtime walk. Time to store the sweaters.

Celebration

Brief fog this morning. Green everywhere today. Party tonight.

Striae

Mondays can make me feel old and tired. Then there is this rock which is old but still sparkly. I wonder what it has witnessed.

Beware

The Ides of March dawned gray and drizzly. Twas a perfect day to putter, bake bread, and think garden thoughts. Tree branches squeaked and creaked as if they needed oil and this beetle scurried along.

First Blush

Significantly cooler today and I was hit by the spring cleaning bug. It's certain not to last. Possible rain tomorrow.

Passive Aggressive

Pampas grass: the plague of the wilderness. Looks soft and glowing but, oh, it is not. The weekend, however, should be fabulous.

Naturalized

Blue-tinged star flowers (Ipheion) are popping up. More gorgeousness outdoors. Much slogging within.

Simply Radishing

More beautiful than yesterday if that's even possible. A little warmth in the caressing breezes. More jackrabbits dashing about.

Mini Mountains

This log, denuded of bark, has its own landscape. Rustlings in the underbrush and twittering in the branches as I passed. Spring is now.

Scroll

One frond unfurling in the late rays. More evening light is grand but the brain fog from the missing hour is not. I nearly split my face from yawning.

Remember Bee

Day ringed by clouds. The rosemary was buzzing. I lost myself chasing bees.

Not a Golf Ball

Perfect day to be outside. Gentle breezes and not a cloud in the sky. Bring on the allergy meds.

Burning Down

Moon shining through the branches. No clouds. Lazy day.

Chain Gang

I saw two painted ladies (butterflies). Plants and people looking perkier with the clouds lifting and the puddles drying. Daisies are marching across lawns.

Nestled

Too mushy to walk on the grass so I leaned w-a-y over to visit the toadstools. Not the best perspective. Maybe we'll have a wee break from the storms.

Paper Crown

Standing water everywhere. Darkness before night. Cold creeping in.

Reversal

The red leaves are the new foliage. I enjoy the switch. Vive la difference.

Humble

The worms were agitated and displaced by the rain. This one was determined to cross the path. We're in a temporary rain break.