Spring: When Inside Smells Like Outside

You know something exciting is about to happen when the inside smells like outside. In Wisconsin, we have a glorious tradition of turning the first warm day of the year into a national holiday--strangers are friends, fine malt beverages are consumed and there is a sudden shortage of hot dog buns. The shift couldn't have arrived at a better time: change of the seasons, a new moon cycle cooking--I plan to lasso up that fire-fly green maiden energy and have ENTIRELY too much fun. To celebrate, my sister and I went for a stroll in search of signs of spring!

How will you be celebrating spring, cupcakes?

Hide Out: My Woods

When I need a moment to exhale and lick my wounds, part of my Girl Cave ritual is to visit the seminary woods.

It's a rejuvenating spot that feels like another planet full of plants and powerful branches-- though the city street is only a short walk away.

There is a small cemetery tucked into the trees where the only sound is snow.
Plenty of room to breathe here and paw prints on the path.

A little river runs through it full of ripples and pennies from passersby.

Where do you hide out when you need a moment?

Droplet Fascination

The Possible's slow fuse is lit

By the Imagination.

~Emily Dickinson

Lisa hosts Macro Monday - HERE

I Hope This Makes You Smile

Little ducklings on the move ~ Always make me smile :)

Hope you have a Wonderful Day!

A Muskrat Gathers Grass

More shots from the archives - May 2009. As I took this trip down memory lane, I recalled My First and Only (so far) Muskrat Encounter

This is the same image as the top one - just cropped a little closer so you can see the grasses in his mouth. I assume he was taking these for food for his little ones OR for building a nest.

I posted about this muskrat earlier on my blog - HERE he is coming up out of the water prior to gathering the grass - You can even see the duckweed on his face :)

HERE - he is back in the water with his mouth full of the grass

Visit Camera Critters - HERE - to see some Cool Critter shots.

Colt At Rest Among the Wildflowers

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.

~Etty Hillesum

About the image: One from the archives taken back in May of 2009. It won't be long before we see the baby horses again. One of the highlights of the Spring/Summer here in Blacksburg.

Waking Up to the Song of Robins

Stay, little cheerful Robin! stay,

And at my easement sing,
Though it should prove a farewell lay
And this our parting spring.

Then, little Bird, this boon confer,
Come, and my requiem sing,
Nor fail to be the harbinger
Of everlasting spring.
—William Wordsworth

Waking up to Robin's song puts me in a good mood! Have you ever heard the morning song of a Robin? Click HERE for his beautiful music.

The Free March 2012 Calendar download is found - HERE

Leftover from Last Summer

Nature gets into our souls and opens doors to hidden parts of ourselves.

~ Pamela Heyda

Taken 02-28-12 with my iPhone and Olloclip lens.

One of the things I LOVE about the Olloclip macro lens is that it gives you very cool bokeh!

Don't know what bokeh is? Find out more HERE

Thank You To My Friends

Thank you to Foxglove Lane and Mrs Dewberry for the generous mentions about being a Versatile Blogger. I appreciate your kindness!

This image is from 2008 - a wildflower whose name I do not know. (so If you know it - please leave me a comment)

If you have someone special that brings you sunshine - I would love it if you would pass along this image to them - and let them know how special they are to you. You, my dear readers, are VERY SPECIAL to me. Let's pass this sunshine along! You can click on the pic to download it OR

For the Hi Res Version of this image - just leave me a comment with your email address (or you can email me) and I will send it to you. My email is found in the "About Me" section of my profile.

Wishing you a Day filled with Sunshine!

Mallard at the Duck Pond

In a world full of people who couldn't care less, be someone who couldn't care more.

~Author Unknown

About the image: Taken 02-18-12 at the Virginia Tech Duck Pond which is part of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail.

About the quote: It has absolutely nothing to do with the image - but those words really spoke to me this morning.

Misty Dawn hosts Camera Critters - HERE

Skywatch Friday - Before the Storm

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.

~ Rabindranath Tagore

The morning before our winter storm of 02/19/12 was sunny and gorgeous. But that afternoon the clouds rolled in. I saw this "saucer" like cloud and just had to pull out my iPhone and snap it! You can see a bit of the sunburst that I caught too. I think this type of cloud is called a Lenticular cloud - which you can read more about - HERE

To see some COOL Sky shots - Visit Skywatch Friday - HERE

And if you missed the detailed SNOWFLAKE shots I captured during our Storm - you can see those - HERE and HERE

Mourning Dove - In the Blink of an Eye

Time is a brisk wind, for each hour it brings something new... but who can understand and measure its sharp breath, its mystery and its design?

~Paracelsus

Image Captured 02-15-12 in my backyard.

Mockingbird Heading to the Feeder

Every one of us has in him a continent of undiscovered character. Blessed is he who acts the Columbus to his own soul.

~Unknown

I put some grapes out in the feeder wreath (on the left). Mr. Mocker looked very sly heading over to grab a few. Image taken 02-15-12

Yes You Can!

Some encouraging words for those out there that need them!

Carolina Wren - Singing His Song

As long as we live, there is never enough singing.

~Martin Luther

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Hanging On!

About the Image: Taken 01-04-09. I added a Kim Klassen texture called "Revolution" and of course added the text.

Hoping you have a Wonderful Day!

Birds Make Me Laugh - Fun Shot Bloopers

Doesn't it look like he is "walking" on the water

Actually "running" may be more appropriate.

These were taken from the river bank through the branches of the trees looking out onto the New River at Bisset Park. I thought it was funny that I captured one goose running away from the other one. Unfortunately all I captured was the open mouth of the goose that was doing the chasing - but I think you get the idea :)

What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.

~Yiddish Proverb

Nutty Takes Off - Wide Open Wings

There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day.

~Alexander Woollcott

About the Image: One of my favorite images from my outing on 01-28-12 at Bisset Park in Radford, VA. I wish I had been able to capture the entire shadow but I'll take what I can get :)

About the Quote: That is one sentence that I completely agree with! Every day is important .... every MOMENT is important! Cherish your moments!

REMINDER - Free February 2012 Calendar featuring Mr. Red is - HERE

Bluebird at Bisset Park

As long as there are bluebirds, there will be miracles and a way to find happiness.

- Shirl Brunnel

About the image: Taken 01-28-12 at Bisset Park - Radford, Virginia

Backlit Butterfly - Macro Monday

An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.

~Henry David Thoreau

About the Image: Taken on the morning of 06-05-11 - Gateway Trail - Blacksburg Virginia

I don't know the ID on this little guy.

Yesterday's Post has a Free February 2012 Calendar Download - HERE

For More Great Macro Monday shots - Visit Lisa - HERE