Natural World

Palmate Coltsfoot (Petasites palmatus)

growing in a nearby woods where moss carpets the ground in some spots and there is a variety of vegetation.

Full of Life

Wild Clematis and a bee

Serviceberry shrub

Our summer hare

Yesterday morning I spotted our little "rabbit" friend hopping about at the back of the house while I drank my last bit of tea.  He was gone before I could get my camera, but I soon had another chance when I saw him again out by the road.  He is really very cute.  

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The junco has what appears to be a large ant in his beak.  These particular ants show up every year at this time.  They are here for a day or two and then, like magic, they're gone.  I had no idea that the juncos found them so tasty.

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Dark-eyed Junco

The swallowtails have also recently arrived.  As soon as the lilacs burst into bloom they will be all over them.  So far, I've seen two of these colourful butterflies flying in and out of the garden.  This one landed on the rhubarb plant.

Swallowtail Butterfly

Springtime Scenery

I'm discovering more and more new growth whenever I go walking in the surrounding wood.  The wild clematis are about to bloom, and the delicate looking fairybells that grow in the shade of other plants are unfolding as well.  The various shades of green below the mountain are a sight to behold while at the very top in the wind and cold some snow remains.  On our drive yesterday, we observed a yearling moose browsing close to the road within a fenced piece of land.  It absolutely made our day!  If you look closely at the photo, you will see that his antlers are just beginning to develop.

Please click on the photos for better viewing 

  

Wild Clematis

tiny Fairybells

Male Moose

View of Sinkut Mountain

Rufus Hummingbird

Geranium ready for repotting

Garden and Forest

The wind has been relentless lately making it almost impossible to work in the garden for the past three days. However, nothing can stop the annual spring renewal, and the woodland plants continue to push through the ground despite the cooler temperatures.  The poplar trees have leafed out as well, giving us a lovely, green landscape.  Yesterday, I walked in the forest near my house and found a few things to show you.  And this morning when I woke up it was such a relief to see that the wind had died down at last.  It was so still, and I had a very pleasant stroll around the garden listening to the birds in the trees.

Spruce tree swaying in the wind

a bit of fur or feather caught on a twig

Arnica leaves

Juniper growing wild

Poplar leaves, shiny and new

Wild Strawberry leaf

a corner of the garden