The Iris...

- a bold, elegant orchid like bloom, sword shaped pedals with basal foliage -

Their distinctive 6 petaled flowers have 3 outer hanging pedals and 3 inner upright pedals.

They can be bearded or crested but without a doubt, they are always spectacular,

Each color has its own special meaning.

Purple Iris - Most iconic, often linked to royalty.
Blue Iris - Symbolizes faith and hope.

White Iris - Represents purity and spiritual connection.

Yellow and Orange Iris - Bring cheer and warmth to any setting.

New beginnings are often linked to springtime blooms!

The Jersey Shore

 I think New Jersey gets a bad rap from so many people.

It's such a beautiful state, it's the "Garden State"...we have the ocean and fresh seafood.

You can see a view like this in almost every county you visit.

We have an abundance of birds and waterfowl.

I recently spotted this Greater Yellowlegs wading in shallow water during low tide.

This is a robust, elegant wading bird with extremely long yellow legs, and a long, thick bill.

We have had a couple of special meals at our favorite restaurants.

They boast about the fish and lobster arriving at the restaurant the same day they serve it, 

it is that fresh.

These meals were enjoyed at 

Atlantic Offshore Fishery

The lobster rolls there are out of this world, packed with lobster.

I had the Lobster Francese on our latest visit to

Mr. Shrimp Seafood 

I have been eating a lot of lobster.

The hubs had this Fish and Chips - $ 10.00 on Wednesday nights.

Once the summer arrives, these restaurants by the ocean are packed with tourists.

That is the one drawback to living where others come to vacation.

May Day In Smithville

 Smithville is a quaint historic town in New Jersey, located about a half hour drive from home.

Visiting Smithville is a treat any time of year but if you go on May Day,

they host a huge craft show with outdoor vendors in addition to their wonderful shops.

There were over 100 crafters and food vendors that feature all kinds of street food.

Lake Meone

Town Square

Sweet Things

The above sand sculpture sits right outside the entrance to 

The Historic Smithville Inn

There is a cute Carousal for the young and young at heart.

Food Vendors

Face Painting for the children.

And I stumbled upon these adorable Goslings hanging out in the lake.

I purchased 2 handmade ankle bracelets that sparkle and I love.

 A handmade piece of pottery for a plant, 

2 "be kind" stickers, one is for my mom and the pottery ornament that says "you'll live till you die".

There were so many beautiful things but not one thing I need.

I did "need" the ankle bracelets!

I love these spring festivals but it was 90 + degrees, too hot for me to stay long.

We split a chicken salad sandwich at

The Historic Smithville Inn

and headed home.

Why does it have to get so hot so quick.

We went from using the heat to the needing air conditioning in just a few days.

How Do You Enjoy Spring?

Staring with my favorite way...

releasing the Black Swallowtail Butterflies that have spent the winter with me.

If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you know that I raise butterflies.

If you are "newer" to my blog, this could be news to you.

Instead of telling the entire story,

 I will spare you the specifics today and share a few older posts that detail the process.

If you are interested, you can read older posts here, here and here.

The Joyful Butterfly shares the best information for getting started with this amazing hobby.

Female Black Swallowtail Butterfly

She visited my garden dill last September, formed into a chrysalis and spent the winter in that form.

Yesterday, she emerged.

She was so perfectly beautiful, a little hesitant to fly off...but after a few pictures, she took to the sky.

Always a bittersweet moment, I am happy to see them free but sad to say goodbye.

Spring flowers really help in enjoying the season.

This Iris is not in my garden but I wish it was.

 We passed in on an outing and the hubs turned the car around so I could photograph it.

I have never seen a peach colored Iris before...

there were several grouped together and they were all healthy and gorgeous.

It is also Rhododendron season, they come in so many colors...

but this color is my favorite!

Isn't it just wonderful how everything blooms in turn, all the flowers have their own time to show off.

This is one of the Roses on my Knockout Rose Bushes.

I have 4 bushes and they are all filled with blooms.

Have you been saving your egg shells? 

They are wonderful, free nutrition for your gardens.

I watched a video on Instagram about the Chicken Pot Pies available at KFC.

We purchased one and split it, it was surprisingly delicious.

 We are in the middle of a heat wave, it was 92 degrees yesterday, I do not enjoy the heat.

Wise Words On Sunday

 

Saturday Critters #648

An Osprey couple generally take up residence each year in a nest in Spring Lake Heights, NJ.

I have been periodically checking in on the nest to monitor the comings and goings.

The nest is pretty easy to see and getting pictures of the birds is not too challenging.

Unlike many birds, both sexes of Osprey are similar in appearance.

The female is larger, up to 20% larger than the male and she is a heftier bird.

The females also have more brown coloring on their chests.

I think this is a female.

It is the only occupant in the nest, I have not seen a partner and there does not appear to be any eggs.

Always on the lookout for any prey.

Showing off its talons.

Osprey generally live about 10 years but can live for as long as 20 years.

Osprey will usually return to the same nest each year.

If you observe two birds on a nest early in the season, 

it is probably the same couple returning to the same nest structure.
Osprey pairs are monogamous and often mate for life.

Sharing today images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturdays Critters