Johnny Jumpups

These cuties lasted all winter.  They were happy to see the spring.

Dogwoods

North Carolina's version of a spring snow.

In full bloom

The azaleas are blazing with color right now.

Last year's nest

This nest blew out of a tree this spring.  The birds will have to make a new one this year.

Aaaachoooo

It's pollen season!

The biggest contributor are the pine trees.  Everything is covered in gritty yellow pollen from the Loblolly pines.  This privet is doing its part also.

House flower

When you're stuck in the house, what's better than an orchid

Or a lady slipper?

Little weed

Even the weeds are in bloom.

Violet

It's easy to overlook the little violets.  

Sign of the times

The signs were up, the playground was closed.  But the parking lot was full.  Families were out walking on the hiking trails around Wilkerson Nature Preserve.  I think they've all had enough togetherness time.

Rhododendron

The rhododendrons are startling.

Cheer up

Here in Raleigh we're told to stay home due to the Covid 19 virus.  For all of us who are sitting at home, here's some cheer.  

Who can look a pansy in the face and not smile?

The colors are brilliant.

Smile!

Familiar sight?

The store shelves are fairly empty.  The paper aisles are bare.  But shopping is strangely pleasant.  There are a scattering of people wandering slowly through the store, giving each other a wide berth and smiling.  We're all in this together.

Water's edge

Mr. Heron was hanging out with the turtles.

Turtle

It wasn't sunny, but that didn't stop this turtle from hanging out on a log.

Ruby Red

This gentleman is the deepest red cardinal I've seen.

White bells

I'm not sure what the name of this cutie is.  Some sort of flowering shrub?  Native to NC, probably...

Over the falls?

I watched these ducks get closer and closer to the edge.  They're not as dumb as they look, they turned away before the falls.

A Mighty Wind

Since we were last at Durant Nature Park, something BIG took down a lot of trees.  

It looks like the trunks just exploded.

We had a big wind storm lately, and I'm guessing that's what took out the trees.  It must have sounded like rifle fire.

Evening visitors

The reason there's a fence around the garden.  Two cottontails visiting the front yard.

Is it Hazel and Fiver, or  Flopsy and Mopsy looking for Peter?

Moon rising

The moon was almost full, rising above Cooper's Pond.

Azaleas

A few brave azaleas are starting to pop.

Tiny park

Is this the smallest park in Raleigh?  Valle Henderson Park looks like a side yard for the house next door. It honors founder of the Oakwood Garden Club.

St Agnes

A vulture flies off the top of St Agnes hospital.  Founded in 1896 and abandoned in 1961, it was one of only two well equipped hospitals for African Americans between New Orleans and Washington DC. (See here) Boxer Jack Johnson was taken there after the car crash that took his life.

Out of Place?

Historic Oakwood is a neighborhood surrounding the Oakwood cemetery.  The homes are well preserved examples of early Raleigh.  And then there's this one.  How did it make it through the historical review process?

Dawn Redwood

The trunk of a dawn redwood.  A deciduous tree related to the coastal redwood and sequoia.  It was thought to be extinct until one was found in China in the 1940's.  (see here) And here's one in Raleigh!

Fierce protectors

In the Long family plot, two fierce relatives seem to be protecting Hester.

Stair steps

Times were hard for families in the old days.  This family plot had stair stepped headstones.  The first two only said "Infant."  The last, tallest one was for Emmie age 10 in 1866.

One last angel

This little angel bowl was sitting on a bench in front of a much bigger statue.  She was collecting treasures.

Angels

I found a lot of headstones, crosses and obelisks, but only a few angels in the Oakwood cemetery. I found this one twice.  It must have been a common choice at the time.

This one seemed a bit creepy.  She was stroking a disembodied face.

And this one was unbearably sorrowful.  Someone had left a string of shells around her neck.

Oakwood Cemetary

Oakwood cemetery began in 1869 on the outskirts of Raleigh, now a few blocks from the center of downtown.  It's a quiet peaceful place for a stroll.

Theme day: Municipal building

I'm not sure this counts for Theme Day.  The theme is Municipal building.  This is the North Carolina state Legislative building. Our city offices are in a high rise.  Not as impressive.