Thursday, May 8, 2014

The Murmur of Spring

All the woods are alive with the murmur and sound of spring. ~ Oscar Wilde

Spring is truly here and I've been taking more photos the last couple of weeks than over the past several months. Various adorable and interesting creatures have begun to reappear in our world, and the sounds of the season are sweet and cheerful. Our dock is back in the water, to be followed shortly by the boat. Splashes of colour have painted the landscape and the grass is perceptibly greener and growing daily. Big sigh!

I have a few random photos to share with you. Most were taken two or three weeks ago. One of them still shows the ice on the lake which has kindly since melted away. Still, they're all semi-recent images. I hope you enjoy them.


wee chickadee
Sweet, little bright-eyed Chickadee. The boldest beauty among our visitors. They have landed on Frank's hand (full of birdseed) a couple of times now. I'm hoping that my turn won't be too far behind.





cloudy dusk2
Some pretty colours in the evening sky. This is the view we see out of our kitchen window. The same place the eagles were flying in the last post.





celebration chocolate2
Snack time! This decadent collection of chocolate was Frank's thoughtful way of saying either "Congratulations" or "Better luck next time" when I took my driving test in March. Thankfully, it was the former and I could indulge with gusto. Erp! Thank you, Frank.





barkie texture
Up close and personal with the gnarly base of a beautiful old tree. It kind of looks like a lizard's face. Or perhaps ET. Hmmm I never meant that to rhyme but it does in an awkward sort of way. Let's try that again.

Up close and personal with the gnarly base
Of a beautiful old tree.
It kind of looks like a lizard's face
Or perhaps ET.
(I'm so easily amused.)





leafy survivor
A cling on from last autumn.





olden golden\
Another holdout from just before winter. They must have been pretty, little bell flowers at one time.





foggy view2
Here's that still-icy lake view. We were in the middle of a weather change - from cold to warm - and the fog just enveloped the trees like a silky, sheer scarf. I took a ridiculous number of photos, and processed many of those. I'll only inflict this one on you (this time).





paradise landing4
The landscape looks a lot more like this now. This is a little spot called Paradise Landing.





apeeling
This tree bark has a certain.. a-peel.





pussywillows
At the edge of our property, everyone's favourite spring bud - pussy willows.





crocus4
Purple crocus. It was like a fresh breath of spring air to see them growing outside our kitchen door. Thank you, Spring!

I'll have some critter photos for you next time.

45 comments:

ADRIAN said...

Good to see everything is warming up.
I enjoyed the misty view. Post as many as you like.

Cloudia said...

all tonic. But I'd Forgotten the pussy willow!!!!! Thanks for reminding me.


ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral

Kat said...

Chickadees are my absolute favorite. What a beauty you've got there! I have GOT to try the birdseed in my hand trick. I would die if I got to hold one. :)
Yay for spring! It is supposed to get up into the 60s here tomorrow. I'm so excited!!! :)

from Madrid said...

One enjoys watching this series of photos that give us, that bird first, is of the most tender. And the cloud is impressive.

Tomás.

Bob Bushell said...

Perfect scenery on photography, they fit together.

Anvilcloud said...

Congrats on passing the test as public transit ain't so good up thataway from what I understand. Some super pics here.

Andy said...

Your photos of spring brighten my day up.

The Furry Gnome said...

I like that dry evening Primrose - gives me some photo ideas.

Brian Miller said...

ah and you can see why it is called paradise landing eh? smiles....some beautiful shots hilary....

joeh said...

Love the Chickadee. You are an artist with the camera...great eye for what I would just gloss over.

DJan said...

As usual, your pictures are stunning. I especially love the misty one, but that's just me. Oh, and the red bark, and the sunrise. Only thing missing is Benny. :-)

Leah J. Utas said...

Excellent pics, especially the chocolate congratulations.

Jinksy said...

A dash of humour always makes your picture-posts special. Thank you :-)

messymimi said...

Lovely and funny and i won't get too close to the pussy willow, thank you, as i'm allergic.

Red said...

You gave us a good sense of the pleasant approach of spring.Frank must have worked very hard to get the chickadees to land in his hand.

TexWisGirl said...

lovely color and light in these! just beautiful, hilary! and thanks for the rhyme and the pun. :)

Unknown said...

Thanks for the pretty walk through spring this morning! It's a nice sunny day here in Atlantic Canada but there is still a hint of winter cold in the wind. That keeps the bugs away I guess!

Anonymous said...

Ah - so very pretty.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Oh my, wonderful photos of changes. I love the poem and before I read it I saw a dinosaur head so....close for me.
I also looked at the limb shedding and wondered. Do trees itch when they shed?
Hurray for chocolate and passing the driving test.
Oma Linda

Gail Dixon said...

A chickadee feeding out of Frank's hand? OMGosh, hope you do get a turn...I've always wanted to get a bird to take seed from me. The photo is stunning; sharp, crisp, beautiful background. Always enjoy your photos and your impromptu poems and play on words. You are the master at that!

Lisa Gordon said...

It looks like you are having a beautiful spring, Hilary!
I especially love your little feathered friend.
So sweet!

I wish you a wonderful weekend!

Linda said...

So glad to see that Spring has made it to your neck of the woods. It's a whopping 88° here today, and devilishly hot on the business end of the lawnmower. Love that cool lake picture...soothing in our heat!

stephen Hayes said...

I've heard of chickadees my entire life but I think this is the first time I've seen a picture of one. Thanks.

Glo said...

Lovely to see you are thawing out! Yay, spring at last! The chickadee is a favorite here, too ~ such sweet and perky little creatures. How wonderful to hand feed them. I could definitely see ET, and chuckled at your verse... ;) Your mystical misty photo is magical! I could hear you taking a big breath of spring ~

Barb said...

Goodness - your treats almost make me want to take my driver's test again. (not really!) Glad spring is showing it's face at the lake. Still snow at my house in the mts!

Unknown said...

Looks like spring is coming along real nice by you.

photowannabe said...

Your photos just sing the joyous chorus of Spring.
Love the shear scarf of fog and the pussy willows.
Beautiful photos as usual.

Ruth Hiebert said...

It is always a pleasure to go along with you on your photo excursions. Each image is beautiful.

Slamdunk said...

The chickadees are regulars at our bird feeder--which is in front of the cat window and keeps them entertained.

Looking forward to your critter shots next time.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Ah, spring. It brings green grass, budding flowers, little birds, and beautiful photos from Hilary. I especially love the chickadee, the "cling-on," the leaf, and the fog.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

OH the fog shot :)

Indrani said...

Those browns are beautiful!
Great series!

Catherine said...

What a stunning place you live in! And all to be discovered as you go through the seasons in your new home. Love your little chickadee.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Ah! Spring! It's really beautiful in your neck of the woods, Hilary. Thanks for sharing.

Mandy said...

My, what beautiful photos! The purple crocus is my favourite but I love the mystery of the frozen lake. I bet you're pleased summer is on the way!

Crabby McSlacker said...

These are SO lovely!

I think my favorite is the foggy lake shot, but there are so many great ones.

Congrats on the test, which reminds me, your chocolate shots are sinfully wonderful, darn it! Now must go check to see what I have in my cabinets...

Haddock said...

Wonder why it is called Paradise Landing?
The first picture is the best.

Betty Manousos said...

amazing photos as ever, my friend! the purple crocus is my fave...i just love the beautiful colours/composition! but each image is beautiful!

happy weekend and thanks for a lovely post!

big hugs!

Rita said...

Chickadees are so darn cute! I've never fed birds by hand, but have fed squirrels and chipmunks.
I just love your new place. It is wonderful to stop by and visit you here at your new home with all its wonders. :)

Rob-bear said...

We've almost been inundated with chickadees at our feeders. They are cute. And more than a bit cheeky!

We haven't gotten up to see the crocuses in town. There are not many of them, and I fear that someone might take some of them away for a private garden.

The mist on the lake — the Ontario of my childhood.

lessings and Bear hugs.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Thankful the ice is gone from the lake and the dock is in. Long winter for everyone and I'm glad it is over.

Bet things are gonna pop up there in the next few days. Green. Welcome sight for you, I'm sure.

ellen abbott said...

so many beautiful shots. of course it helps living in a beautiful place.

Kathleen said...

Oh, please, I would so like to be transported to Paradise Landing. Right. Now. As always, your photos are just stunning. It's like taking a meditative break to visit your blog. Thank you, dear Hilary. May Spring reward you over and over with stunning images!

Jenn Jilks said...

Wonderful.

Daryl said...

congrats on getting your driver's license!!!! and thanks for the gorgeous eye candy