At Last LILIES!

They are about a month late, but at last the lilies have started to bloom.

The top photo is a true lily that I have had for many years.  It has survived red bug and caterpillar infestations so it's a real keeper.

I'm not sure where the yellow day lily came from.  I found it in a pot a year ago and stuck it in the ground.  It was just a couple of pathetic leaves so I did not have much hope for it.  It appears to be coming along nicely.  I knew it was yellow, but did not remember that it was double.  Surprise!

This is actually a darker red.  I bought it from Larry the Pond Guy when he was closing his business.  We still miss him.  He was a fount of knowledge on ponds and water plants.  I have yet to find someone in the area who is as knowledgable.

Summer has finally arrived.  We went from early spring temps to summer in the space of two days.  Guess I will open the pool after all.

Toes crossed that all enjoyed a Happy Independence Day!

As always, thanks for stopping by......*s*

Osprey

The ospreys have built a nest on top of a construction crane by the river in Westerly.  It's a good distance away so I extended my lens to its fullest and then cropped a bit.

In the first photo you can see the adult with the baby behind.  If I had been quick enough I could have shot the other adult bringing food to the baby.

The second photo is a shot of the nest on top the crane.

I have seen osprey nests on telephone poles, and cell phone towers, but this is a first.

Have great weekend, and as always, thanks for stopping by..............*s*

Flowers

The perennials have been blooming like mad this year.  I think all the rain and the relatively mild winter have had a great deal to do with it.

My poppys are the best they have been in years, helped by the fact that monsoons have not beaten them to a pulp as soon as they bloom.

Columbine and yellow flags are blooming by the pond.  It's a very pleasant place to sit and drink morning tea.  The two oak trees that shaded it are gone, but the swamp maples are big enough to do the job.

Clean up progresses slowly.  We'll  see, grasshopper......

As always, thanks for stopping by.............*s*

Spring at Last!

Finally!  After many coy flirtations spring seems to be here.

The hibiscus have been blooming all winter.  It's not quite warm enough to put them out yet, but soon.

Meanwhile my columbine is thriving as is the white bleeding heart.  I just wish it weren't so difficult to transplant.  This one really need dividing, but I hesitate.

The first white violet is a tiny variety that seems to like to hide in the grass.  Shrinking violet?

The white and violet varieties grow all over the lawn.  Some might call them invasive but we do enjoy the way they look.  We also have dogtooth and bird'sfoot varieties, but they are harder to find.

And last, what would spring be without a frog?  We have several, but this fellow likes to pose on the edge of the pond so all can admire him.

My cataract surgery when very well indeed.  I have finally been given the go-ahead to work in my studio and garden.  Of course now that the weather is warm I want to be outside.  I think one reason this feels like it has been such a long haul is that I had to postpone the original dates due to a cold that didn't want to quit.  I was particularly incensed because I have not had a cold in years.

Never get too cocky, grasshopper....

As always, thanks for stopping by..............*s*

Corner

Gwynneth @ https://gzandco.blogspot.com posted a link asking for phots of corners.

This is a quickie taken on my iPad of my reading and drawing corner.  I figured I had better take a picture while it still looked reasonably neat.  I think there are still cobwebs around!

I’ve been away from my blog for a long time.  I have my last cataract surgery tomorrow so I will do a catch up post next week.  Time fugits!

As always thanks for stopping by..........*s*

So This Is Spring?

I am not a happy camper!  Woke up to snow this morning.  Fortunately it is supposed to be in the 40’s today and mid 50’s with sun tomorrow

We had two of our very big, very dead oak trees taken down recently.  There is lots of wood for next year and a lot of mess that comes with feeling trees.

More yard work tomorrow.

Enjoy the weekend.   Wishing all those who are experiencing extreme weather a good survival.

As always, thanks for stopping by..........*s*

Plant A Flower?

Yesterday, March 12, was National Plant A flower Day.  To which I say HAH!  The only way I would be able to plant anything is with a pick-axe!

Instead I painted another Brugmansia on another tile.

I am not entirely happy with this.  The angle of the flower looks like it's taking off for outer space.   I also need to blend some of the greens a bit.

Another sunny day and the snow is beginning to melt a bit.  At least it is not as bad as last year!

Yes indeed, these are my flamingoes in a snowstorm exactly one year ago.  Cold comfort indeed.

As always, thanks for stopping by..................*s*