Blog Archives
Como-Large Greenhouse
Friends, this very large greenhouse holds lots of flower power, It has some side wings and is a free refuge open to the public, in the winter many flock here especially on Saturdays to bask in the tropical warmth and humidity, and to view the tropical gardens, fern room, and large exhibits of seasonal flowers, This week the large room is filled with Asiatic Lilies, hydrangea, and other colorful blooms, My favorite is the dark blue of the crocus, see image below, my new camera seems to be focusing behind the point that i choose,, will i be able to fix that, hmmmm, til Tomorrow MJ
More Ice
Friends, I know more ice, sorry , it is melting but the grass is still brown, need some green so i am going to the Conservatory tomorrow to get some flower power, the greens and blues in this ice will have to do for today, til Tomorrow MJ
Winter Birdie
Friends, this tiny bird is a red-breasted nuthatch, found around here in the winter months, they find their food in the bark of trees and in friendly bird feeders, they prefer the feeders with suet in them. Getting ready for the Easter holiday, Happy Easter to you who celebrate with us, til Tomorrow MJ
Waiting
Friends, these Trumpeter Swans are waiting, patiently for the snow and ice to melt, I am not so patient, I go to the Meadows in expectation to find nothing new, bummer, maybe i will have to visit elsewhere to find some action, maybe the waves on Lake Superior will talk to me about spring, but last time i visited there, the waves were washing in the ice shards, sharp and glasslike panes, having family for Easter, so I guess cleaning house is the order of the day, til Tomorrow MJ
Empty Pods
Friends, getting desperate for new images, these milkweed pods were interesting but kind of drab in colors, but the snow made a great background, these pods are empty of the silk that emanates from them in the fall, now they are empty but a short stem remains, see the macro below to see what is left in the pods, til Tomorrow MJ
Tree Hugger
Friends, this boy has found a birch tree to nibble on, he is a porcupine but his quills are not erect so you see his guard hairs on the surface of his coat, The quills are laying down and he is climbing up the tree to get away from me. Porkies are active in the winter but don’t get around very well in our deep snow, so tree climbing is a way of life. His quills are small compared to those of the African variety. til Tomorrow MJ
Great Gray
Friends, this great gray owl is flying at you in black and white, still practicing my black and white conversions, the background provides a web of branches that makes a statement about his environment. The owl and the web waiting for an unsuspecting lemming to venture out under the snow cover. The round parabolic face serves to concentrate sounds so the owl can detect small critters under the snow. They dive feet first into the snow and can retrieve food six inches under the snow. til Tomorrow MJ
March Pond
Friends, this pond is near our home in northern Wisconsin, last year at this time the tamarack trees were starting to get new needles. This year every thing is covered with 12 inches of snow and the pond is ice. When spring does arrive, this scene will repeat itself on the first warm sunny day with no ice and snow. til Tomorrow MJ
A Promise of Spring
Friends, this Sandhill Crane was walking in water last year at this time, but not this year. I have not seen a crane yet and definitely no water except where the water is running fast like a river or stream. It is snowing again this morning and I am getting really tired of waking up in clouds and snow. But March is usually our snowiest month so I should know better than to fret over the winter blah weather. So i send you this warm spring sunshine this morning to promise that warmer days are coming (for those of us in winter now) 🙂. til Tomorrow MJ
Swans in the Air
Friends, I will never get over the elegance of swans in flight. They look so formal against the sky,and this week they are returning to the Meadows where there is open water. Most of the open water available is on moving streams and rivers. So glad to see them return and to hear their welcoming hoarse honking, like a goose with a cold. til Tomorrow MJ
MJ Springett 