Spring Dogwood

                                                                                    
Every time I see the bright magenta-red dogwood against the grey shrubs, I want to take a photo of it.
It's so delicate and striking at the same time.

A pause before the green will burst out.

Water like burnished pewter.

I'll be away for a couple of weeks making my acquaintance with our new granddaughter.

Watery Designs

 The wind was rippling the water making for some interesting reflections.

 This one almost looks like a charcoal drawing.

I like the way the trees and shrubs appear to be sinking into the water.

Spring Heralds

 Today felt like the first real day of spring.
This evening I heard spring peepers for the first time this year and yesterday I saw some honeybees on the crocuses.  I always enjoy seeing the pussywillows glistening in the sun.  When we were young, we would pick a few branches and enjoy touching the soft buds that really did feel like pussy fur.
I also saw a flycatcher yesterday - hope it makes a nest on our house again.

Our little granddaughter, who lives about 5 hours away, was born yesterday.  I'll visit her next week when her dad has to go back to work. Can't wait to meet her.

Surprised by - colour

 After the snow on Friday, and the cloud and rain yesterday, I was not expecting to see any flowers blooming today, but there they were  - happy, bright, springtime crocuses.  Yeah!

 The snow is almost all gone.  Just a few patches here and there, and some snowbanks on the shady side of the road.

 Coltsfoot - usually the first wildflower to bloom.

 These crocuses actually look pretty in the snow.  Tomorrow is suppose to be warmer so they'll open up nicely.  Wonder when I'll see my first bee of the season.  I haven't even seen a fly yet.

The primulas are full of buds.  I think I'll get  a good show this year.  I still have some on my
windowsill which I will plant out as soon as the ground thaws enough to dig in it.

Edges

 Our family is feeling a little edgy these days as our little granddaughter is delaying her arrival.  Our daughter is tired of being big and anxious to meet her baby, and her oldest son complains daily that his sister has not come yet.  Every time the phone rings, we wonder if it is THE NEWS. So while I wait, I play with photos that feature edges.

Cyclamen

 It's a blustery day with blowing snow and sleet. Time for some indoor photography.
These pics are of a small cyclamen plant.  It's not blooming right now but the leaves are interesting.

Spring will come.  Yes, it will!

Snowdrops

Stalwart snowdrops blooming whatever the weather.
The temperature has warmed up and the snow should be gone by the end of the week, except for the big piles of snow that slid off the roof over the winter months. I'm sure I will be planting some things at the end of April as I usually do. As the snow recedes, I am seeing lots of bulb leaves that are already 3-4 " high so I don't think the crocuses and daffodils will be delayed either.
I'm hearing lots of birds in the mornings and expect to hear spring peepers any day now.

Fantasy/Fact

 I took a little walk around our property and snapped some spring- ish pictures.

 It is spring, isn't it?  That's the fantasy, anyway.

 Sun so strong, the pictures are bleaching.  Must be pretty warm!

 Look at that thyme, all green and fresh.

The lamium is just soaking up the spring sun.

 But then again, there is the fact that the iris is growing in snow.

And the bush still has 8-12" of snow.  Be a while before the tomatoes get planted.
Still it was nice to fantasize for a bit.