Calm

Sometimes just looking at a peaceful lake is calming.

 

Peony time

The Peonies are starting their time in the spotlight.

 

Sweet Betsy

This flowering shrub looks like a paper flower.  But it's a  Sweetshrub, also called Sweet Betsy or Carolina All Spice.

(See here)

 

Feed me

This amazing thistle looks like it belongs in "Little Shop of Horrors".

 

Dancing butterflies

These two butterflies were doing a little dance.  The one on the left kept opening and closing its wings.  The one on the right (can you see it?)  kept its wings closed but followed the other one everywhere it went.

They could be Pearl Crescents (see here)

 

Green carpet

This green carpet is a native bamboo.  It looks like a leprechaun could be jumping around behind the trees.

 

First dragonfly

There were dozens of these little Slaty Skimmers flying around near the pond.  They must have just hatched out together.

 

Buzzing tree

There is a sweet fragrance and a buzzing sound surrounding the holly trees.  The bees are happy, and the birds will be too when the berries develop.  

 

If I pretend to be a rock...

...no one will notice me.

This baby bunny was hiding in plain sight.  I did see his nose wiggling though.

 

Orchid surprise

Hidden in the leaf litter in our backyard we found these leaves.  It's a cranefly orchid!  (see here)

The leaves come out in the winter and disappear in the spring.  Later the flower comes up alone.  Each leaf is a separate plant, so we have a colony of hundreds!  We'll watch carefully for the flowers.

 

Thief

This little titmouse was stealing the fibers covering a window box.

It went to a lot of trouble

getting nest material.

 

Kindness

This new mural is part of a 10 city campaign "A call for Kindness". (see here)

Wouldn't it be nice if we didn't need a reminder?

 

Spring green

The trees around the pond are leafing out.

 

Turtle party

A meeting of the turtle society.

 

Owlet

A baby barred owl was peeking out of his home.  Mom was somewhere close, but we couldn't see her.

 

Garden color

The gardens in the neighborhood are eye popping with color right now.  

 

Witch Alder

This shrub is totally covered in brushy white flowers.  It's a Witch Alder.  How did it get that name???

It's native to the Southeastern mountains, but I found this one in a garden.

 (see here)

 

Shady walk

The colors almost hurt your eyes.

 

Memory

This is called a memory bridge.  I'm not sure what that means, but it's lovely.

 

Have a seat

A good place to view the azaleas.

 

Welcome

The entrance to the labyrinth gives a shady welcome.

 

Labyrinth

A place for contemplation.

 

Visitor

This tiger swallowtail couldn't leave the azaleas alone.

It was a swallowtail without the tail.  I wonder who snipped it off?

 

Dogwoods at last

The dogwoods are finally glowing white.

 

Robin

The worms better watch out, Mr. Robin is on the hunt...

 

More spring trees in flower!

Flowering Cherry

Flowering fringe flower

 

Violet

Violets can bloom anywhere.  Even in the crack between the sidewalk and a wall.

Does anyone ever plant them, or do they just appear?

 

Alert

He watched us very closely as we walked by.

 

Tulip Magnolia

Tulip magnolias don't bloom for long.  But they're worth the wait. 

 

Barred Owl

This handsome guy swooped up into the tree on a foggy morning.  He must have thought it was dark enough for a hunt.

The blue jays were very angry.  (you can see one of them in the upper part of the picture)  He might have been hunting blue jays.