Pussywillows

No matter how many flowers are showing,
No matter that the grass is turning green and lush ...
It's just not spring for my mom
Until she has a bouquet of pussywillows.

Well, mom ...
Spring Is Here!!!

Bumblebee

After many failed efforts, I finally captured this guy enjoying a snack.
I love bumblebees ... so big and, well, bumbling.
Aerodynamically, they shouldn't be able to fly -
But they do!

A Walk in the Woods with Sissie

My sister Beth and I were both intrigued by this dead birch log. The way the bark was peeling back, the mesmerizing designs of the decaying log ...

Patterns, colors, nature's recycling at it's best!

Sunset Shadow

The setting sun highlights some clouds, casts shadows on others.
I was captivated by the shadow of one cloud on the other ...

Nature's Jewels - raindrops on fir needles

We had a respite from the rain this past week ...
This morning, it's baaaack!!!

And bringing beauty with it!

Mossy Forest Walk

A walk in the woods with sissie ...

Shows the mossy side of western Oregon ...

Which is why we can't complain too badly about all the rain we get!

Twigs

I was going through my photos from last month's trek through Fanno Creek Nature Area in Tigard and deleting the ones I didn't want.

I started to delete one that was blurry at the top, when I noticed the foreground ... a beautiful mess of multi-colored twigs.

You'll see what I mean if you enlarge the photo.
I guess I will delete more carefully now!

There!

My favorite daffodil blooms triumphantly in the early morning sun.

It looks like Spring has arrived!!!

Almost There 2!!!

Just minutes now?
Can hardly wait
To see this beauty fully bloomed!

Almost There!!!

Another couple of hours?
I can hardly wait!

A Walk on the Wild Side

A pair of frogs enjoying a moment ...

A deer watching me watching her ...

I almost stepped on this snake!

A newt's movements startled me, then he froze until I took his picture.

Bare Oak Trees Waiting

This majestic oak tree seems to be waiting.
It won't be long now ...

Yellow Tree Lichen

I found a tree with yellow covering its branches. I took a close-up photo and was amazed at the intricate patterns of the lichen.

Indian Plum - Oemleria cerasiformis

Indian Plum bushes are native to the Pacific Northwest. They are the first blooms to show, usually in "late winter" or "early spring".

I found these blooming Indian Plums at the edge of the woods ...
For me they represent the first official sign of spring!

Mushrooms - Hiding in Plain Sight

I almost didn't see them --
They blended in so well!

Sunset Tree

Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous.
Until evening, when the clouds started coming in,
And the rain started falling. Again.
But those very clouds
Made for a stunning sunset.