Allium

Spirea Japonica "Bridal Wreath"

Kwanzan Cherry

This picture was taken at night with a low flash setting.

Camillia

The first two pictures were taken at night which made the color more vivid and made the red look darker.

Bleeding Heart

Wild Azalea

This is a wild azalea at the edge of the woods. I look forward to seeing it bloom every spring.

Lilac "Sensation"

Red Dogwood

Flowering Kale

This flowering kale was planted in a pot last fall with some pansies. As the weather warmed up this spring, it began to grow taller and then it started blooming. I have never had one to last through the winter so it could bloom and it have enjoyed watching the process.

Photos in the Dark

I decided to try taking some pictures in the dark and this is the results. I used a low flash and auto setting.

Lenton Rose

I love the Lenton Rose because it blooms so early. All the snow we had during this winter was very heavy and damaged the plant. I cut back all the dead and damaged leaves. It soon began to put out new growth and has been blooming for about 10 days, which is later than usual.

Spring is finally here

After a very cold winter with lots of snow, I am so excited that spring has finally arrived, hopefully to stay. But I know March can be unpredictable. It has been warm for about a week and today it was in the 70s. I spent the day working in the yard ... pruning, weeding, moving plants, raking, cleaning the pond. My plan was to not overdo but when I get started I don't know when to quit. The birds are busy looking for a home. I am hoping the bluebirds have decided to nest in the same birdhouse they did last year. The chickadees are checking out the same house. The finch have been at the other birdhouse.

Clouds

I love the winter sunsets, so I usually check every night to see what it looks like. I was a little late this time and the sun was very low but the clouds were interesting ... very black against the dark blue of the night sky.

Snow Jan. 30, 2010

We are having lots of snow this winter ... this one was 13". It was a very dry snow, so it made good "snow" ice cream. Another storm is expected this weekend bringing another 10-12". A temperature record was set this past Sat. night at 2 degrees below. I am sure looking forward to spring. With this winter being so cold compared to the last few years, I hope I don't lose any flowers or flowering shrubs.