The Egrets Have Returned...

 During a little spin around Lake of the Lilies, I noticed there was not one Mute Swan present.

On the grass area, in the water, where have all the beautiful Swans gone?

But one wonderful surprise was the Egret, 

walking toward me with pride, looking very stoutly and elegant.

I have much better pictures from past years but 

these are the ones I took during this first encounter this year.

Is that a turtle to the right on the stump, perhaps, maybe...

Getting a good look at his foot, I was sure he saw me,

and was walking right toward me.

I found this Mallard napping very comfortably in this tree, standing on one foot only.

It was a very cloudy day, and it rained after I left.

Our skies have been gray and cloudy and we have been getting a lot of rain.

In this terrible picture, you can see that the Ruddy Duck in the front is a male in breeding plumage.

They are generally a brown color with a brown beak.

Here the male is chestnut in color and has a bright blue bill.

- when you can't find the sunshine, be the sunshine -

Is It Really May?

 It is May 1st and as much as I love winter, I am welcoming spring with much excitement!

Earth has woken up, come to life...the grass is green, the trees have their leaves, 

the birds are building their nests and beginning to lay eggs.

After the much needed rain we had this weekend, 

today, 

the sun is out and the sky looks beautiful.

The Dogwood Trees are just gorgeous, there is no other word to describe them.

- "may" your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day -