We have buds, finally!

Here in the Pocono Mountains, trees and shrubs are just beginning to come into bud.

Every year, at about this time, it brings to mind a poem my daughter learned in elementary school.  I can only remember  2 lines:

"Mama, mama, is it spring today?"  and "I can see tiny tight buds where the leaves will be".  

So, in memory of that poem, and of the little girl who used to recite it to me, (she's all grown up, with a little one of her own) here are some tiny tight buds, where the leaves will be.  :)

One of my favorite trees.  Soon, it will be full of small pink flowers.

It's so warm outside, I have the doors wide open.  As I write this, all I hear is birdsong.  Spring has reached us, finally!

Spring is definitely in the air

Especially if you go by the turkeys.


Yes, turkeys.


There were a few in the backyard over the weekend, and the male put on quite the show for the hens he was walking with. 

Normally, if I stand in the doorway to try to take a few pictures, I get spotted, and they take off for the woods, with a quickness.  But on this day, they were all so wrapped up in finding something to eat or putting on a show, that they didn't even seem to notice me.  Well, maybe just once, but I stood perfectly still and was either deemed a non-threat, or they just didn't care.

At first the male walked off, away from the yard, but the hens came straight on into the yard.  He walked a little further off, but none of the hens followed, so he came back.

He found a spot and patiently waited for one of the hens to walk his way....

I never realized how colorful they really are.   Looks like every color can be spotted in their feathers.


He's starting to puff up, which means one of the hens is walking towards him...

...she gets closer, he gets puffier...

...until he reaches maximum puffiness.

She's either flapping her approval or making sure he sees only her.

Or, maybe she was just stretching...

Besides the turkeys, the Goldfinches are gold again.

They're like little bandits with their black masks.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures.  :)

Getting there

This past weekend, the weather actually felt spring like.  It was warm enough to get me outside. 


Of course I had my camera with me.  :)


In the distance, I hear the one bird who's song I can somewhat mimic.  So I started whistling and I could hear it answer.  This went on for a while, back and forth until finally he found me in the backyard and perched overhead.  This is the first time I'm actually seeing one of these birds up close.  I always hear them, but have never seen one until now.

Not to be out done, one of the finches showed up and insisted that I take a picture, so I did.

There wasn't much else going on in the backyard, so I hopped into the car and headed out to see what I could see.


I figured I'd take a run past one of the resorts near me.  There are a few really nice places that are tucked away off side roads and way off the beaten track.  This one place is set on a really fantastic property and has this giant sized lake. 


Way off in the distance, I can see ducks on the water so snapped a few shots off.  I was surprised at what they looked like.

I've never seen ducks with blue bills!  They were so far away though, that I only got one really good shot and this is the one.


Heading back to the main road, I was passing a field and noticed a stable.  I didn't think that there would be any horses there, it was out in the middle of nowhere and there was nothing else nearby.  I've passed by many times and have never seen a horse here.  But as I drove past and looked in the doorway of the stable, there she was.  All alone and looking right at me.  I drove up a little and made a U-turn and came right back.  As I pulled up into the driveway, she started tossing her head as if she was happy to see anyone.  I parked the car and rolled down the window.

I'm so glad I went out because the next day it poured, and there was no going out into that kind of weather.


Hope you enjoyed these.