Spring Bee

For the first time, in what seems to be ages, we had a Spring Day. It was heavenly.

Spend most of it outside, wandering around to see what's popping in the garden, other then knee-deep weeds.

And there it was, our little crabapple tree, bursting into bloom. To the delight of the bees who were swarming it in large numbers. You could hear them hum in content at the bounty of the fragrant, newly opened blossoms.

I love that little tree. In the spring it puts on such a show, which is followed by sweet, golden applets with red cheeks.

Sleeping Tree Frog

As I am sitting at my computer this morning, I can hear the voices of the tree frogs, happily talking to each other from the ponds and puddles all around us.

The rain has been relentless this winter, it's seems never ending at this point. But the frogs are thrilled, as I am sure are ducks and other water creatures.

Note to self, check for webs between the toes!!

As I was listening to the frogs chatting away in that funny voice of theirs, I remember a picture I had taken of a tree frog sleeping it off in one of my roses a few years back. And here he is.

Stormy Creek Clip

I've never tried the video option on my blog yet. So thought I might as well give it a whirl this morning.

Roaring Creek

We've been getting hit by some heavy storms this year. Seems like winter just doesn't want to leave us. On this day, the Spring Equinox, we'd given up all hope of even seeing the sun.

So imagine our delight when the big storm, though roaring through on the Coastal Range to the West of us and the Sierras to the East, seemed to hit and miss us.

Not only were we able to do our doggy walk up into the woodlands this morning, we also walked down to the creek to see how the mountain rains were impacting it.

We could hear the roar as we walked toward the back of the property. The closer we got, the louder it became. How delightful to find not only churning waters, racing along with bits of debris and logs bobbing on the waves, but also clouds of all colors. Dark gray ones. Fat white ones. And in between, bright blue pools of sky and quick bursts of sunlight as well.

It feels like spring will come...........even if it's not quite ready as of yet.

Pink Stellata Magnolia

Every year I promise myself I'll not buy anymore plants , other then low maintenance succulents to go into my empty flower pots. And then spring arrives and with it sunny, balmy days filled with wonderful blossoms everywhere.

Of course I could not resist this wonderful Stellata Magnolia in pink. The white ones are plentiful, but Kathy ,who owns a local nursery, only got this one pink in with a shipment of white Stellata. So of course I had to add it to my collection.

I loved the way the morning sun lit up the open petals. Later that same day I noticed that not only are the flowers stunning, the honey bees and bumble bees love them!! Doesn't get any better then that. :)