First Crocus

The snow has melted near our chimney and the first crocus are blooming. My other crocus patches are still covered in snow. Sounds like the may get covered again tonight with another couple of inches. Spring is trying to arrive while winter has other plans.

Who knew? Lizards eat hibiscus.

We escaped Wisconsin for a bit and headed to Mexico this past week. Here are some pictures I took in Tulum, Mexico which is about 2 hours south of Cancun. I wish I could say all the snow was gone when we returned, but about 17 more inches fell while we were gone and is still piled up. Glad I don't have this lizard in my garden though. I didn't know they ate flowers.

First flower of the year:)

The snow just melted off of some of my beds yesterday. Amazing this pansy was blooming under the snow.



Lots of old sunflowers that have made it though the winter. I even found a caterpillar out enjoying the day.

Are you looking at me?

This woodpecker did not seem to happy to see me.

It was only a matter of time

The first of the grackles have arrived back. While I welcome back the red winged blackbirds, I was kind of hoping the grackles would forget to return. They nest in our pine trees and make a big mess around here.

A touch of yellow

Looks like the goldfinches are starting to turn a bit gold. An early sign that spring will actually return.

red winged blackbirds are back

One of the first signs of spring here is the return of the red winged blackbirds. He looks excited to be back. The winter regulars don't seem too impressed.

Picnic on a frozen lake(aka spring in Wisconsin)

Recently we enjoyed a picnic at Pewaukee Lake or I should say on Pewaukee Lake. It's always amazing how many people are out on the lakes here during the winter.

Looking For A Sunset Bird In Winter

The west was getting out of gold, The breath of air had died of cold, When shoeing home across the white, I thought I saw a bird alight. In summer when I passed the place I had to stop and lift my face; A bird with an angelic gift Was singing in it sweet and swift. No bird was singing in it now. A single leaf was on a bough, And that was all there was to see In going twice around the tree. From my advantage on a hill I judged that such a crystal chill Was only adding frost to snow As gilt to gold that wouldn't show. A brush had left a crooked stroke Of what was either cloud or smoke From north to south across the blue; A piercing little star was through.
-Robert Frost