Springing Along

I'm so enjoying the continuation of Spring. I could wish for temperatures more suitable for late March/early April, but it's still a wonderful thing to experience. The colors of the leafing trees and the flowers, and the scents of their perfumes on the air; the smell of wet earth; the sounds of the birds and the little frogs and the thunder in the skies. Love, love, love.

The maple tree on the corner, loaded with seeds.

Up in its branches, it's definitely Spring!

'Tis the season already of watching the weather and staying in tune, with a bit of concern. We who live in this area know all too well the possibilities, though we generally go about our business as usual without dwelling on them.

We had storms in the area last night, and not as close tonight. Some clouds from sunset two nights ago:

And so, we watch and wait. We're used to it.

Rock Chalk Jay Hawk!

This Hawk is in my 'hood.

Today was a good day to be a Jayhawk fan. I could probably have done without the whole package of firecrackers the neighbors set off, but hey. The animals will calm down eventually.

The Sky Show

The Moon, Jupiter and Venus continue the dance in the sky. Tonight they were widely separated and difficult to get all in the same frame, but I managed these. Planets and the crescent Moon, what a sight.

And at last, the Old Moon in the New Moon's arms. She's gorgeous bathed in Earth glow.

A Surfeit of Image

Well, perhaps not overfilled, but filled, certainly. The Sun came out today and so did I. Thus these.

A sun-bright cloud over the peak of the house.

Spring in the neighborhood--kids, bikes, joggers. A couple of people walking dogs and some boys shooting hoops would complete the picture.

Spring at the edge of my yard, and then beyond, to Gage Park.

These hyacinths are what hyacinths are supposed to look like.

And then there were the bright little fishes--goldfish? Junior koi? Whichever, they were all over the end of one of the little ponds in Gage Park, grabbing at everything that floated.

I wonder now about the blue heron I saw flying out of the area. Perhaps he'll be back later for supper.

Then there was this incredibly calm duck, with no worries whatever in his world. It was just that kind of day.

Color in the Hood

I love the colors coming up all over the neighborhood. Not just in my yard, but in those of my neighbors. The redbuds all leapt into bloom at the same time, a couple of days ago.

A couple more from our own yard.

Little "grape" hyacinths. Very blue, not numerous.

And the real sign that Spring has sprung and will proceed inexorably on to summer:

It's far easier on my back and the environment to consider them wildflowers than to try and destroy their happy little faces. :)

Merry Equinox!

Rainy day is making plants happy and photographers damp.

But this Bradford Pear near the Blackbird didn't mind at all. I know these trees are not the greatest trees in the world, but they do grow well in cities and they make a nice show in the Spring. Some little birds thought they were quite the thing, too, but they wouldn't stick around for a picture.

Happy Hour

Today it's raining and everything is drinking. They should be good and soused by now. It's been lovely so far, and I found a puddle with plops to make a picture of.

And from yesterday, flowers and plants and things were already getting pretty happy in the garden.

This little lemon balm plant I was gifted last September has made it through the winter and looks to be ready to grow by leaps and bounds. As a member of the mint family, it will probably not be shy. That's OK with me; I need plants that can basically take care of themselves. Anything too fussy or tender will probably not survive my lack of skills.

These scilla (some unknown kind) were by the back fence when we moved here twenty-plus years ago. They are still there, and reappear from their little bulbs or rhizomes every year. They are just one of the sweet signs of Spring.

And, Ms. Monarda is back and ready to go. I think this plant has a sort of two-year pattern. These are not where the big growth was last year, but more where the original plant was placed. I'll look into that. Meantime, I'm eager to see her in all her summer finery! She was lovely at all seasons last year, from the subtle colors in the spring growth to the bright summer blooms, to the bronze and purple of fall and the stark seed heads of winter. Love, love, love.

Sky Show

Jupiter and Venus have been hooking up in the western sky for about a week now. I have a few pictures. The National Enquirer probably doesn't care, though.

By the clock tower at the Blackbird, which still had not been changed to CDT, by the way. This was on 03-12-12.

Behind the Blackbird, in the sunset sky. 03-13-12.

At B's house in Lawrence 03-14-12. Oops, not Topeka! But it would have looked the same.

Via's, and Kaw River Park

We had a great pizza at Via's the other day at lunch, and I got to watch Brian Broxterman, local artist, coloring on the walls.

Then there was a "Mongolian Pizza."

Let's see--I believe that was pesto sauce, chicken, beef, sausage, red onion and basil leaves. There were supposed to be green peppers there also, but Kathy prefers not.

Yum.

Then later in the afternoon, Kathy and I walked a tiny bit of the feast off by visiting the Kaw River Park again. She hadn't been there yet. So, some river pictures, and a bird!

Then there was this little brown bird I "phssed" up out of the woods.

Rather successfully blending in to the tree there! So here's a better view.

Consensus is Eastern Phoebe, one of the earliest Spring migrants to arrive here, I hear.