Sunny

Do those sunny faces make you feel happy? Artist group gathering, drawing and painting the sunflowers. We had big smiles on our faces as we wandered through the fields, clippers in hand, looking for the perfect flowers to take home. 

Yes that's me, wading through those huge plants looking for the perfect bloom. Wow, those blossoms are heavy! And tough and scratchy. 

Magnolia

It seems to be a bumper year for magnolia blossom around here. There are trees on every street absolutely loaded with the blossoms, all variations of purple and pink and white. They don't last long.

This yellow magnolia grows beside the pond near my house. It had no blossoms last spring as an early ice storm killed the flower buds. But this year it's making up for the loss. 

Note: That heron beside the pond looks intriguing but sorry, it isn't real, it's made of metal. But a real heron arrives most evenings and walks around the water's edge hunting for dinner.

Coltsfoot

The first dash of golden sunshine after the snow has melted. Coltsfoot.  Tussilago farfara.  A flower in the daisy family, flowers appearing before the leaves.  Claims that a tea made from Coltsfoot can treat respiratory infections, sore throats, gout, flu, and fever.  I haven't tried it so far, and probably never will.

The leaf is supposed to be the shape of a colt's foot, hence the name.  Some other names are tash plant, ass's foot, bull's foot, coughwort, farfara, foal's foot, foalswort, and horse foot. 

Random pictures and High Drama

Coronavirus life goes on.... I'm still staying at home, although I bravely ventured in my mask to the early morning seniors hours grocery store this morning to stock up with supplies. Stores and services are gradually starting to open up and restrictions are gradually easing, but I hope things don't move too fast.... we are not ready for "normal" yet.  We finally have some lovely weather which will encourage people out of their houses.

I've been baking.    Coronavirus bread?

Cleaning up the back yard...... Coronavirus dandelions?

I have been watching the buds get bigger and bigger on this gorgeous "Yellow Bird" magnolia bush.... no leaves yet but only the blossoms. The leaves come later.

High Drama around the pond today. Fat cat Minnie, who belongs to a neighbour, was intent on stalking something moving in the grass.  I stood and watched for a while while she slowly wiggled her way forward and then she suddenly pounced as fast as lightning, and then there was a little squealing chipmunk in her mouth.
I had no idea fat cat Minnie could move at the speed of sound but she did!
Minnie decided to take her prize home, but luckily my neighbour interceded before she could go inside, and the chippy's luck changed as Minnie dropped him.  Chippy dashed for safety up a nearby tree with Minnie in close pursuit, but chipmunks climb trees faster than fat cats, so Minnie lost her plaything and sat at the bottom of the tree looking up with a determined look in her eye.
Here's the poor little chap, sitting on a branch keeping an eye on Minnie.

Minnie kept watch at the base of the tree for a while but eventually went home for her dinner.  I hope the chippy got over his shock and went home to tell his family all about it.  Life can be dangerous out there!

Sunshiney

It's been really cold recently, -25C and lower at night, then it poured with rain and the temperature rose to +10C and lots of the snow melted, then wild winds and ice pellets, and now we're back in the deep freeze, -17C. Crazy weather.
The only remedy for too much annoying winter is to buy fresh flowers... especially my favourite sunshiney yellow tulips.

I love the way they open and stand upright, like soldiers on parade, then gradually droop and curl and form those lovely elegant organic curves. Welcome sunshine.

Yellow

A little bit blurred because the photo was taken through glass, but I think he's either an American Goldfinch or a Yellow Warbler. He didn't stay long, just long enough for me to grab the camera.