Looking for Spring

I took a lot of pictures this week.

I wanted to share some of what I think are my best with you.

This is what happens when you take your camera,

looking for spring.

 Mistletoe in the Oak

It is spring in the meadow 

Thistle  

Woodland Throne 

Webbed foot prints 

Tiny perfect wildflower 

Moss and Ferns by the Creek 

A little more green is showing up 

 Tiny ferns

Three trees along a barbed wire fence line, shows in stages what happens when the fence gets in the way of nature. 

 New leaf buds

Pines bright evergreen 

Paperwhite Narcissus 

Jonquil 

Late evening Daffodil and the Summer Kitchen 

Late evening, old barn through the elm branches 

Flowering Elm 

Rosemary blossoms in twilight 

Jonquil 

Dogwood

As you can see, it is taking it's time this year 

Catching song birds in pecan tree

The pecan trees are always the last to come out 

 Turkey Vultures

Taking Flight 

Dandelion Fluff

I have been reading "Game of Thrones". In it, the Stark family motto is "Winter is coming". Well I keep thinking "not around here thank you".

What is your favorite photo?

Cheers

Kat 

Early evening, walking in the woods

We went for a short drive yesterday evening, about 10 minutes from the house, so we could  go walking in a different section of the woods.

The Sumter National Forest is full of lovely roads and trails.

Here, let me show you,

Sumter National Forest 

This is a turnaround at the end of one road. As you can see, other than the pines and cedar trees, there is not a lot of green yet. 

 Beside the trail

Notice the black at the base of the trees? That is probably from a controlled burn. The forest service does that periodically to prevent forest fires.

 Sumter Forest Road

Some roads in the forest are maintained like this one. 

 Sumter National Forest Stream

The stream still has lots of water from our recent storms. 

Foot Bridge

I think this is quite a charming spot. 

 Trees and sky

Look up! 

Slug

There is life in the forest. 

(slugs are kind of cute when they are not in the garden) 

 1985 Volkswagon Westfalia Camper Van

An old friend is visiting.

Great memories!

 Rosemary Bush

My Rosemary thrives here, no matter what the weather.

 Rosemary Blossoms

Taken early this morning. The plant smells wonderful.

 Daffodil

Remember the tiny shoots sticking out of the snow?

 Daffodil Bunch

Daffodil Closeup

Well worth stepping outside in the cold this morning.

We are not done with winter yet, but these little signs are sure welcome.

Cheers,

Kat

February Beauty

It is still cold here in the South, especially at night.

Spring is on it's way.

I went for a walk with my Sweet Husband and my camera so I could share it with you.

 

 Daffodils are usually one of the first things to open. We have quite a few bulbs. Mother Nature must like them here as they have spread into the woods as well. I transplanted some bulbs to the front of the house last year. Those are not open yet, but they will be soon.

 

Delicate Daffodil  

 

 Forsythia Blossoms

 

 This Forsythia is just down the road, off in the woods. I wonder if there was a house there at some time in the past, or if the birds dropped a seed. I don't think they grow wild here as if they did, there would be more of them.

 

 It was getting late in the evening when I took these photos. I usually don't use the flash but in this case, I like the effect. This one is a collage put together from three of the best shots.

 

 One of my Rosemarys is blooming! I have two, they are slightly different. One came from Lowes Home Improvement Store. It was about 10 inches high and shaped like a Christmas Tree. The other came from our churchyard down in Charleston. Rosemary symbolizes remembrance. As part of a Remembrance Day service, little sprigs of rosemary were placed on cards with a poem and given to everyone as they entered the church. I brought mine home, put it in water, and it took root. I kept it in a pot for awhile then transplanted it outside. As you can see, it is thriving.

 

 I love this picture. Our pecan tree is old and it does not produce many pecans (the squirrels tend to beat us to what it does put out). I think it is graceful and as beautiful without leaves as it is with them. It stands between the smoke house and the summer kitchen (partially visible on the right).

 

 Just a few minutes later, Mother Nature painted the sky and I had to get the camera back out.

 

As the sun drops lower, so do the temperatures. I told myself, I need to put the camera away and go inside, but how can I resist? Just one more....

 

Inside the fire is going and Spontaneous enjoys one of her favorite winter pastimes, sprawling on the floor in front of the fire. Frequently in adorable poses as if to say, "Don't put the camera away yet, I am being cute just for you".

 

Have a lovely cozy week.

Cheers,

Kat

and
Spontaneous