Petals & Wings

Just a few more images of flowers and birds which I've taken over the past few days.

Flowers for Mother's Day from my younger son, Alex. This along with a hanging basket will help brighten up my front yard. His card to me read "To the most metal Mom out there. Love, Alex" If you're familiar with my boy, you'd know that that was the best compliment he could ever give me. Totally inaccurate, but high praise nonetheless. Thanks, Alex!



The lilacs in my back yard are coming along very slowly, so I wandered over to another location to snap this shot. Lilac is one of my all-time favourite smells.



Dandelions, on the other hand, are growing just fine in my back yard.



Gee, any guesses as to why? Click to enlarge for detail.



Having some fun with my macro setting. Make a wish!



Wandering around my local park, I came upon this wary robin which had just caught a small worm (click to enlarge). A second later it was gone, along with its dinner.



Moving along, I found these three geese standing in line at the top of the dam, at a nearby pond.

Later in the week, I noticed this bird perched upon one of the concrete structures which appeared behind the geese. It was flapping its wings in place, and resting occasionally, but always with its wings outstretched. After checking a few sources, I eventually learned that it was a Double-crested Cormorant - a bird that is quite familiar to many, it seems, but one that I've never seen before.

I learned that its wings will not repel water as with other water birds. Water absorption allows the Cormorant to dive and remain submerged, in order to hunt for fish. It then needs to dry its wings, and does so by flapping and holding them open.



I stood there for so long that the bird eventually turned around and took notice. Please remember to click the photos to enlarge.



A different day, our friend the Great Blue Heron made a return visit. It landed by the shore, but soon waded into the water when it knew I was hoping to get closer. It returns most days around five p.m. so I hope to get more chances to photograph this beautiful bird.

Buds, Blossoms & Blooms (and Happy Mother's Day)

When my sons were born, we decided to commemorate each event by planting a tree.

When Alex came along, we planted a pine tree so small that every time I caught sight of it out of the corner of my eye, I thought someone had left a half-filled, green trash bag on my front lawn. In almost eighteen short years, it has grown taller than our two-story house.

Our back yard was in need of some foliage when Jeffrey first made me a Mom, so we actually planted two fruit trees. The cherry tree never did thrive, and though it produces sour cherries each year, it remains small enough that it resembles a bonsai tree. This year it has about as few leaves as it does flowers. The plum tree did much better, and in twenty-one years, the branches have grown tall enough to reach an upstairs window. Of course that's too tall for a fruit tree, but I know nothin' about prunin' no fruit trees. Besides, it has produced wonderfully sweet plums every year and why mess with that?

Well Frank and my kids' dad, Don both decided that they should mess with it. Last year, Don talked me into letting him hack away at strategically trim the excess branches of the tree. I agreed and watched much of its growth disappear before my very eyes. It was actually rather shocking to see what was left. The tree was also in shock, and protested by not producing a single blossom last year. It was the first time in twenty years that we didn't have plums.

Over the summer it still sent out those pesky suckers which are supposed to be cut back, so Frank took the clippers this time, and trimmed them last month. When only the cherry tree began to sprout blossoms a week ago, I figured that the barren plum tree would spend another fruitless summer. A few days later, its partner cherry tree was in full bloom and I took a closer look at its own branches. Lo and behold, I could see the tiniest blossoms beginning to form. By yesterday, they looked like this - all over the tree.

It looks like we'll have plums this year after all. Thanks Don and Frank!


Here are a few photos taken over this past week at home, and while walking and biking around the local parks.

After a rain, water droplets cling to the the leaves. You can see them more clearly if you click to enlarge.



A daffodil - up close and personal.



A grape hyacinth grows along a neighbour's fence on the walkway leading into the park. The flower stands about 5 centimeters (2 inches) tall.



Also after the rain, droplets cling to these fuzzy seeds. Remember to click to enlarge.



Gnarled roots secure these trees which grow outward from the edge of a small bluff.



The rain ended but the skies remained cloudy - except for one small patch of blue. When the late-day sun shone through that space, it made the colours of the wet surfaces and foliage come alive. The sunlit branches of the weeping willow drape themselves over the dock.



And here's that same willow from a distance.



Just around the bend, you'll find this picnic table where we like to stop from time to time, to just sit and enjoy the sites. In cooler weather, we'll often have a sip of something intoxicating. And in autumn - spring - summer...



A hastily-plucked and discarded tulip lies withering on the pavement of the pathway.




There are numerous blossoms emerging on plants all around the lake and throughout the park.




And where there are flowers, there are bees. I love that macro setting. Click to enlarge for more detail.

Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there this Sunday!