As We Roll Into April ...

Our spring has come at last with the soft laughter of April suns and shadow of April showers. 

~Byron Caldwell Smith

This time of the year has everyone re-exploring the world that was held captive by Winter!  The sun is warm, the colours return and 'Winter' argues with 'Spring' ...

Wishing You All a Happy Easter! 

The Colours of Spring?

Perhaps not the colours of spring most people would imagine BUT living east of those Rockies ... yes, "winter white" and "crocus mauve" have painted the prairie landscape at the same time, on more than one or two occasions!  Yes, its May but that does happen around here!  One of the reasons I refer to our crocuses as "prairie souls" ... is their ability to endure the harsh climate they get subjected to!  They were under the snow this morning but standing rather tall and smiling this afternoon after the snow disappeared!  That always takes a bit of "soul!"  

Seasonal Discord

Friday, April 25, 2014:

So, things have been looking pretty good these past few days!  The Killdeer have returned, along with more shorebirds and more migratory birds, the bees are buzzing, the land is brown but slowly 'waking up,' the aspen trees look optimistic, the magpies are cheeky and our Ri-dog has water to swim in!!!  Spring really seems to be taking hold!

Saturday, April 26, 2014:

A quick compilation of star trails and faint aurora borealis.  It was such a beautiful night ... yes, Spring is here!

"Scrreeeeeeech"  "HOLD THAT THOUGHT!"

Somewhere between enjoying a beautiful starlit night sky and morning ... fog, clouds, and drizzle turned to bits of 'white stuff!'

As the evening went on ... more and more of that white stuff fell!  

Sunday, April 27, 2014:

Spring eh?  It would appear we woke up to winter once again!

Despite the contention between Winter and Spring ... our boys made the best of the situation!  Hopefully it was the LAST run with their snowracers!  By the afternoon, the sunshine returned and the snow was gone!

With May knocking on our doorstep ... lets hope Spring and RAIN win any future arguments with Old Man Winter!  

Emergence

Despite a cold, NW wind howling, overcast skies and the remnants of last nights rain (which was very welcome by the way), I managed to find a few little spots of 'Spring' emerging from the cold, drab, prairie landscape!  Aaah ... the Crocuses (Anemone patens) are beginning to make their beautiful Spring display!  

I absolutely love crocuses, like so many on the prairies do!  So delicate to look at yet so resilient to the harsh environment they emerge from, they are a gift of colour in the Spring!  

Sweet, Sweet Arrival ...

Where man sees but withered leaves,
God sees sweet flowers growing.
~Albert Laighton

Up on our hilltop and scattered about in little microclimates throughout the prairie landscape, the crocuses (Anemone patens) began their beautiful display today!  There is nothing more delicate yet resilient than the native prairie crocus and I know many of us prairie folk look forward to their arrival!  The first to bloom and bring colour to the land, they certainly signify Spring's arrival ... something that has been a long time coming this year!  

HEAT WAVE!

Woo Hoo!

We managed to hit 12 degrees Celcius today!!!

And with 12 degrees Celcius, good things happen on the prairies!  The snow was certainly melting and I actually found lil' crocus heads peaking out from that cold prairie soil and specks of GREEN!  It was a beautiful day indeed!  The cows were scattered about the hilltops, all soaking up the sun and I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of my elusive Merlin (Falco columbarius).

The Merlin was a distance away but considering I usually see him flying away at high speeds, I was quite happy to capture a glimpse of him!  The weatherman is promising a few more days of WARM, Spring temperatures!  Let's hope this continues!  

Morning Dew

With a lil' bit of moisture comes a lil' bit of morning dew!  We must have had a small shower in the night, as there was just enough moisture to make things a bit damp checking cows this morning.  I don't mind, the grass doesn't mind and this crocus appeared content ... after all, it is spring!

The Return of My Prairie Souls

First a howling blizzard woke us,
Then the rain came down to soak us,
And now before the eye can focus -
Crocus.  

~Lilja Rogers

My Prairie Soul's have returned!  Ah yes, the Crocus (Anemone patens).  I don't know anyone who doesn't love seeing the crocuses out on the prairies!  They always appear so delicate yet they are TOUGH!  Always the first to blossom and bring colour to the springtime prairie 'drab,' they withstand our cold spring winds and storms!  I guess this is why they still remind me of my Mom and a handful of other women that have been or remain in my life!  Like Mom, they were, or still are, connected to their rural, prairie roots.  They were/are strong, caring Women that can and have weathered many a storm yet with class, they dust themselves off and move forward.  They are 'resilient,' they are my 'Prairie Souls!'