Aspen Optimism!

Yesterday the twig was brown and bare;
To-day the glint of green is there;
Tomorrow will be leaflets spare;
I know no thing so wondrous fair,
No miracle so strangely rare.
I wonder what will next be there!
~L.H. Bailey

Well, considering it was around the 20th of April last year before any of our trees showed any springtime enthusiasm, it looks like there are a few Trembling Aspens (Populus tremuloides) wanting a head start!  I say bring on the green!

The Return of Mr. Crow!

Ah ... yes, Mr. Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) has returned to the prairies!  Funny thing ... I've kind of missed hearing their raucous!  American Crows are indeed characters and without a doubt Mr. Crow and gang will ensure we hear and see their antics until late fall!  

Splish, Splash ...

My Boys are Definitely Taking a Bath ...

What better way to enjoy their spring break!  The snow is almost gone and the puddles have expanded!  We reached a high of 13 C today!  It was a bit windy but it was a warm wind ... and that seems to come hand in hand with spring!  

Swans in Flight ...

And the Arrival of Spring Migration!

Our skies came alive today!!!  I absolutely love seeing the arrival of geese, hawks, crows, ducks ... BIRDS ... that have been absent all winter.  And I truly love watching the skies when treasures like the Trumpeter and Tundra Swans migrate through on their way to their northern breeding grounds in the arctic!  The sound of their 'bugles' can match their sheer size ... and in a flock, they are an incredible sight!

Stalking a Bald Eagle

Stalking or perhaps I should say 'walking to blend in with the prairie!' ... Can you do that wearing orange??  Haha!  Yes, my family and I spotted this magnificent Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) perched in a poplar tree while heading out this morning.  No ... nope, I most definitely did not have my 300mm lens with and since I still haven't won the lottery which would allow me to obtain my dream 600mm lens ... I 'quietly' walked as close as I could with my lil' 85mm lens.  At one point ... that wing started to stretch out and he or she calked it's head but apparently my 'orange' display out on the prairie intrigued this marvellous creature enough that it decided to stay perched!  Or perhaps the Bald Eagle thought I was a geek with a camera, walking funny, wearing orange and was definitely not a threat!  No matter what, after seeing the size of the hook on the end of it's bill and the incredible size of its talons ... WOW!!  

A 'BLAH' Day!

No matter how long the winter, 

spring is sure to follow.  

~Proverb

Although, I accomplished leaps and bounds in the 'spring cleaning' department in my house, I have to admit ... I procrastinated taking a picture all day!  I kept waiting for a glint of sunshine.  Well, at 8:00pm there certainly was no longer hope of finding sunshine!  Today was just a grey, dull, overcast day! It felt like a winter day.  No ... it wasn't overly cold, the snow was melting but it was definitely just a 'BLAH' day!

Evening Stroll ...

In every walk with nature one receives 

far more than he seeks.  

~John Muir

Can a girl be any more lucky?  A great weekend with family and friends and to wrap it up ... an evening stroll with my boys!  Pinch me ... I've got it all!  

A Foggy, Frost Laden Morn!

A busy weekend lies ahead but I managed to dash out this morning and grabbed a couple of quick shots.  Our landscape was definitely looking like a beautiful winter scape this morning with a heavy fog and hoarfrost covering everything.  After the last few days of 'drab' ... it was nice to see that round bright ball peeking through ...

The Friday Blues ...

Snow, snow, snow ... 

Yes, winter is not letting go!  We enjoyed another grey, dreary day with snow flurries.  Lucky for us and our cows, we do not start calving until mid-April.  Judging by their expressions ... today did not impress them!

Snow, Sleet, Rain ...

Drops! 

 

Winter threw a few punches today.  Apparently, miffed that spring is creeping in, winter dealt us some snow, sleet, and rain for good measure.  Nothing horrible, nothing that really accumulated ... but just enough to make me stay undercover!  It's amazing what one will take a picture of when they don't want to venture past the cover of one's covered porch!  

Spring Time Puddles ...

Oh ... the snow is melting and everywhere you turn there is a 'lovely' puddle that just attracts lil' people and their rubber boots!  Despite the wet clothes and MUD ... I much prefer that lil' ones be outside enjoying the great outdoors than sitting in front of a television!  Note to self:  replenish the laundry detergent!

Let the Melt Begin!

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  

~Charles Dickens

Welcome to my crazy world and Year 2 of Seasons 365 Project!  Spring has officially arrived and somehow knowing that it is here ... it puts a lil' pep in my step!  I love this time of year ... the season of renewal!  There is nothing more exciting than seeing the prairie come back to life!  I love it and I hope you will too!  

Get Ready ...

They say ... or at least the Weather Network 'says' ... spring officially arrives tonight at 23:15pm for our little location in the world!  After a cold, windy, dreary day ... I for one, am looking forward to the return of spring and all that it brings.  I guess it will also be the official kickoff of Seasons 365 Year Two!  YIKES!  So long WINTER ... see you on the 21st of December, 2012!

Aaah ... Spring is in the Air!

Or ... Perhaps NOT!!

Well, although this morning's commute might not look appealing to you ... the highways were plowed and were a drastic improvement from our commute home last night!  Yes, spring is only a couple of days away and we were blessed with 4-5 inches of wet, heavy snow ... the kind that makes the grass grow!!!  It is definitely March and there is always a battle between Winter and Spring!  Winter tries to hang on and Spring tries to take over!  Oh well, the best part about these winter/spring snow storms is we know they won't last ... which is good because they've forecasted another 'winter storm warning' for us tonight!  Time to make a hot chocolate!  

Coyotes on the Hunt

Spring is definitely in the air and the coyotes are definitely on the hunt for some 'slow moving' gophers!  Yes, those lovely lil' rodents have resurfaced from their winter's nap and what the coyotes don't get ... the hawks will try!