More News from the Backyard

The snow drops are finishing up now, but this picture was taken in their prime just over a week ago.


These crocus are ones that I planted in the fall. I am pleased with their "up and at 'em" attitude this spring.

Backyard Surprises

We bought this house in September of last year, at the very end of the growing season. The yard hadn't been maintained in probably a year, and was looking pretty rough. After cutting out a lot of the yucky stuff, I took the opportunity to plant some fall bulbs. But while I was digging, I kept hitting existing bulbs. So, I knew I was in for some surprises this spring.

These snowdrops were a surprise. There are quite a few popping up. True to their name, they were covered in snow shortly after the first one bloomed. I've also got hyacinths, lots of daffodils, and some things I don't recognize coming up - so more surprises are in store.

Now this one, I think I am responsible for. But, I don't remember what it is. I was thinking grape hyacinth (that's what I remember planting, anyways) but it just doesn't look right. Oh well, a flower is a flower, and these little spring bulbs are so sweet to see after the dreary winter months.

Vacation!

Thank you all for visiting while I was out and about! I've enjoyed catching up through your comments. Vacation was, as always, way too much fun and way too short - and I can say that even though I sat in conference sessions for three and a half days :) But even though we split our time between Las Vegas and southern Utah, I'm gonna kick off my Western pictures with one you maybe would not expect:


No bright lights, no red rocks, just flowers blowing in the evening breeze. It was very windy in Las Vegas for two of the nights we were there. Coming from the non-desert East Coast, it was strange to experience such high winds without any thunderstorm to cause them. I wish I'd had a tripod and some patience, and then maybe I could've gotten the tree trunks in focus with the flowers swishing around them :)

When I get my files in better order, I'll start in and post some of those bright lights and red rocks (heck, I'll probably bombard you all with way too many pics!), but for now the posies are it ...

Harbingers of Spring

My grandmother was a dedicated gardener, and her garden always had a healthy percentage devoted to flowers. But the flowers weren't limited to the garden. Over the years, she planted crocus bulbs throughout the yard of the house, mostly at the bases of the large catalpa trees that ring the house.

Much has changed, but still quite a few crocuses were peeping up through the grass this weekend. As a kid, finding these out in the yard was as good as finding easter eggs!

An Onslaught of Flowers & Greenery

A breath of spring, if not tropical summer air, from Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati, OH. I have lots of pictures I want to post - this is why you get six at once right here :)

Not sure what the poofball trees were really called.

A type of fern that hugs tree trunks.

A colorful cactus.

From the orchid house.

A view back through the desert house.

"Regular" flowers :)

Floral Fireworks

There's a flower vendor in the Central Market in Lancaster that always has really interesting, unique bouquets for sale.

Justin occasionally brings them home to me :)

I love flowers about as much as I love birds (alot!) and, now, blogging has inspired me to use them as a photo opportunity as well as something pretty to look at. Thanks, guys!