admiring the general splendor

 

“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.”
― Alphonse Karr

 

recent findings

A lovely viewpoint from a trail in Thacher State Park.  It is so lush and thick right now.  I could almost imagine I was overlooking a jungle or rain forest.

northern ringneck snakelet - not quite the width of a pencil yet

Admiring the various colors in Tim's beard during a rest from our walk.  He's not so happy about the grey ones.

Storm clouds above us on a walk to Lock 8 on the Mohawk River.  We watched three boats pass through the lock and then got absolutely soaked on the walk back to the car.  It was worth it.

 

the first of the roses in a local park

Okay...what the heck is this, you might be thinking.  That is exactly what we were thinking.  Are those eggs?  Broken balloons?  Why are they near what seems to be a burrow of some kind?  Why do they feel leathery (Tim's description after I coaxed him into touching one)?  Did something hatch or did some critter dig up another critter that lives and lays eggs underground?  What lives around here that would lay eggs in the ground?  After thinking it through, spotting several areas just like this, and realizing they were all neighboring water - part of the river, a small pond, a stream between two ponds - we figured they might be the broken eggs of hatched turtles.  We've seen many painted turtles and one rather large snapping turtle on past jaunts.  Some later interweb investigating revealed this to be the case.  How I wish I could've seen them breaking open their shells and scurrying off to the closest water source to begin their little reptile lives!  Learning more about their life cycle will suffice, however. 

I like the striped leaves on this Solomon's seal plant.  Made me think of paintbrush strokes.

Penny nestled into her favorite place - Tim's lap. 

nature, pretty things and bargains

there is beauty all around me

"That is one good thing about this world...there are always sure to be more springs."

-- L.M. Montgomery

 

And then there's this precious little beauty.  My favorite part of spring this year is spending time with her and watching her grow.

Tulips and Goslings

The annual Tulip Festival of Albany, NY is scheduled for this upcoming weekend, Mother's Day weekend.  Tim and I decided to forgo the crowds and likelihood of rain by visiting Washington Park yesterday.  Stunningly beautiful seems too meager a description, but that is precisely what it was.  Lovely, lovely, lovely.  I wanted to stay all day and walk around the plantings again and again.  Some had yet to bloom and others were already going to seed, but the overall grandeur was just marvelous.  So many colors and types and sizes.  Everyone there had a smile on their face.  Most were taking photos.  My appreciation for the gardeners and volunteers is boundless.  I'm so grateful for their hard work and determination which provides so much enjoyment for others.

A further walk along the lake is where we found the cuties below.  Four little goslings with their parents doing their goose things - grazing and swimming.  I had thoughts of nuzzling these fuzzy birdies, but a) that's not what they would want and b) mom and dad have big strong wings and beaks.  Enough said.

We're thinking of going back next week to see those tulips that hadn't yet opened.  Also, the lilac bushes were just beginning to show some blooms.  As this is my favorite floral scent, I will happily plant my nose into the clusters of purple florets.  Any time, pretty much anywhere.  Even when bees are doing their bee things nearby.  I fantasize about owning a home one day with a plethora of lilac bushes all around it, in every possible color variation.