More Like It

May sky, no clouds, green life! About 68 F. Yeah, this is more like it.

The Next Generation

There's no doubt why my yard is full of dandelions, is there?

Hiding in Plain Sight

A pair of Mourning Doves decided to nest in our backyard redbud tree. I'm amazed that I was able to capture a couple of pictures of a bird on the nest. The top one was April 28, the bottom one today, May 3, just a little while ago.

I understand the male and female Mourning Doves take turns on the nest. I found it in the first place while they were changing shifts. I'm looking and listening for babies, and hoping they don't become snacks for the neighborhood roaming cats.

THE lovely color of Kansas in Spring...

Redbud in full bloom in our backyard...glad I took it yesterday, it may be buffeted to little purple shards by the storms today and those to come tonight...

More Spring Colors

Tulips in Ward Meade Park, 041909


More tulips in Gage Park, 041909

Spring Has Purple Beauty...

And many other colors, too. These are tulips from Gage Park today. There will be more pictures to come. Aren't these almost too gorgeous?

April '09 Full Moon at Lake Shawnee

Can you see the moon in this picture?



Now you can...



The moon escaping the trees...



And now, of course, there are two moons to adore.

Geese, Lake Shawnee

Joined by this fine pair of Canada geese at Lake Shawnee while out to take Moon pictures.

Taraxacum officinale

The real flower of Spring...tough as nails; neither ice nor sleet nor snow nor anything else the Kansas weather can throw at it will discourage it at all. Named for its leaves, from the French for "tooth of the lion," and able to set seed without pollination. A true survivor.

The Treachery of March

Springing Forth (Stereotypically)

Daffy...


Down...


Dilly!

Bark in the Park

Topeka has had a Bark Park for some time, on one of the old softball practice fields in Gage Park. It's now new and improved, sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition, whose corporate offices reside here.



It's a place where dogs and their people can run around and have fun with other dogs and people.



Some dogs really get into it.




My own dog, Mitzi, can't go to the Bark Park because she violates Rule #5 above: Aggressive dogs are not permitted. We tried, but she couldn't restrain herself. She's the poster child for "It's not the size of dog in the fight, it's the size of fight in the dog."

And then!

Spring Is Bustin' Out...maybe not all over, but in my backyard.

And...

February's last gasp.

Still February

Despite my dreams of Spring, this afternoon's winter sky says it's still February after all...

First Full Moon of 2009

And it was a beauty. Pictures from Lake Shawnee again. There were flocks of blackbirds or starlings all over the place, and some of them got their pictures taken too.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

This picture is from the KDOT Cameras page, which I check on every once in a while, especially when I'm at work in my windowless little cave where, unless someone comes in and tells me, I have no idea what the weather is doing out there. Today it's a bit lovely, if not especially warm.

I didn't take any pictures of the recent wintry weather (which has now all melted and gone back to being seasonably cold but dry).

Anyone have any they'd like to share? I seem to be stuck on Moon pictures. Another Full Moon coming up this weekend. You have been warned.

I'd appreciate if anyone reading this bloggish thing who does have pictures of Topeka would contact me! I don't bite...much.

December Moon

The Moon was very close to the Earth and very bright this Full Moon; and we had clouds. This is at Lake Shawnee after it was very dark and very cold for a while. Even after it was this dark we could hear flights of geese honking as they flew over and landed in the lake.

Star of the Show

The tree decorated by this star is in Lawrence, but the star was made by our friend George here in Topeka last year and is still as beautiful as ever. Happy Winter Holidays to anyone who celebrates any of this season, for any reason.

Peace

The hands belong to one of my sisters; the wish for peace belongs to everyone.