Serviceberry

The serviceberry, or shadbush,

is a small native tree,

about 40 feet tall.

The starry blossoms don't last long.

Last night's rain washed most of the petals to the ground

or the nose, as Annie demonstrates.

To see more skies from across the world, click the Skywatch Friday icon on the right.

Sunday Walk

Today was the first I have gone for a walk without a jacket,

so spring is really here.

I took the dogs around the far side 

of the marsh,

past where the coltsfoot are blossoming.

The patch is getting larger!

Some of the pussywillows are finished blooming,

but not all of them.

Annie kept saying "Come on in, the water's fine".

There were a lot of the trees coming into leaf

or bud.

The next image is red elder, in bud.

Jake was starting to say we had walked far enough.

But we were not all the way around the marsh yet...

We went past a couple of old fence posts,

and admired the tiny leaves in the grass.

About this point, Jake's hip was unable to hold him, and I had to carry him a ways. Good thing he only weighs 29 pounds...

Also a good thing we were almost home.

Treasures

I have slowly been unpacking the suitcase in which I brought home all my treasures.

This is a sunflower quilt Mom made, with Annie perched in the corner.

I am doing this slowly, so I can try and find someplace for this stuff to live...

This embroidery came out of the cedar chest, and no one can remember doing it, so it must have been my Grandma, roughly 40 years ago.

A couple of small paintings that were in the hall,

and some odds and ends.

 

Annie and the Geese

Walking along the path beside the marsh,

Annie startled a pair of geese which had been admiring the view.

Annie is the black blob in the lower left of the next two images.

I am linking this with NF Winged.

And a photo of Annie, just to prove she has eyes.



A Walk in the Snow

It was sunny and mild, only a little below freezing, so we took a long walk. Jake and I admired the cattails in the snow (okay, he was waiting for me to move on).

Here, he shows how deep the path has been trodden into the snow,

and here I show how far you sink if you step off the path. That place was not quite knee deep.

There were some mouse tracks (I think they are mouse),

and I always love the shadows of the snow.

Annie loves the snow, even if she does gain 5 pounds when it is this mild. And we were home before dark!

Annie

The back yard is covered with golden ash leaves, so I asked Annie to sit in the middle of them, for contrast.

She does have eyes, honest!

Annie

Today is the day after Canada Day, the national blow-out here. 

I had to work yesterday(by the time the boss pays me, I doubt he made anything), so this morning, I took the dogs for a long walk to the park where the local festivities were held. The garbage was phenomenal!! And I didn't find any beer bottles or loose change...

We were out for an hour and a half, so Annie sure needed a wade in the pond. Jake, of course, refused to go near the water.

I have finished editing all the photos, and they are both still asleep! Must be tuckered right out... 
Excuse me while I go have a nap.

Dog with Dew

Annie is a scruffy little thing, so she gathers a lot of dewdrops on our walks.

 

Annie

I even managed to get a couple of captures of Annie. You can tell which way she is going because you can see her tongue...