nature's first green is gold

As Robert Frost once wrote:
"Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour..."

And so it is in Wisconsin, every fall, the trees become shimmering and golden.

But only for a moment, and then it's done.

We just have to enjoy them while we can.

A late summer stroll, and Yoda

Making sure to enjoy the sunshine, the breeze, and the sheer perfection of a late summer day like today. Of course I couldn't just go for a walk... I stroll better with my camera.

Master Yoda, spot him, if you can? 

 sunflowers, reaching toward the light

and this skull planter, of course 

pretty bird feeders, all in a row

ending the walk with some fireworks. 

magical and mysterious

I've been a lazy blogger, I know. Sorry. But I do continue to take photos pretty much every single day. Some days it's just my kittens, growing up way too fast. Many days I'll photograph my flower garden, or the yard, or the birds and butterflies that visit.

Every once in a while I'll take my camera along on my walks around the neighborhood, just to see what treasures I may find...
 

Like this curious and wonderful metallic sculpture. 

And this fairy castle, in a neighbor's garden. 

A peony, poking through a white picket fence, reaching into the sunlight. 

And someone's lilies, in these fabulous colors, that I just might need to plant next!

quiet sunset

Just another night, driving home after dinner with mom, along the lakeshore - my usual route. 

I love driving around the lakes any time of day, but dusk is always the best. 

Looking to the sky, I noticed the colors starting to appear. Sunset... 

No real clouds at all, so it wouldn't be spectacular. You need good clouds for a great sunset. 

But the lake itself provided everything I could have wanted. 

Soft colors in the sky, the Capitol skyline across the water, and reflections on the water. 

nothing gold can stay

The tulip tree, in full bloom... 

This tree and its blooms just make me crazy happy. 

The blossoms only last a few days, sometimes a week. 

And a strong breeze, or a spring rain will bring them all to the ground.  

But for a brief moment, it is glorious. 

"Nature’s first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay."

-- Robert Frost

the tulip tree

This tree is one of my absolute favorite things about spring in my neighborhood. 

It's at the church, just up the street from my house, 

and every year I just wait and wait for it to bloom. 

The flowers won't last for long, one windy day, or a good rain, and the petals will be scattered. 

But at last, here are the soft fuzzy buds that hold so much promise... 

And yes, it is gloriously in full bloom now, but that is for another day... 

muted sunset

Even when the colors are subtle, a cool clear spring night can give us a great sunset...

(can you spot the Capitol from across the lake?)

seen around the neighborhood

I've been searching for signs of spring everywhere, but especially on my lunchtime walks around the neighborhood. And fortunately, finally, spring is here! 

Bunches of white, purple and yellow crocus everywhere. 

This guy, swinging from a tall tree. I don't know what he did, but it must have been bad! His hands are tied behind his back... 

What a sweet surprise to see shiny blue stones in this rock bed!

And a bright gorgeous cardinal, singing to me as I walk past. 

searching for spring

It's a gorgeous, sunny, warm day today, one of the best days we've had yet this spring. 

Just a perfect day to be out and about. 

I did some work in the yard, clearing away leaves, uncovering my tulips in the flower bed, and checking to see if the rhubarb or peonies are poking up yet. 

Happy to find, everything is starting to sprout up already! 

The neighbor's flamingos seem to have made it through the long cold winter. 

I think they're enjoying the sunshine. 

Hydrangeas from last season, just waiting to be clipped down and start anew. 

And when you lose a giant old tree in the yard, 

sometimes you can give the stump a new purpose. 

out for a walk

Recently my good friend Natalie has been challenging me to not only get outside for my daily walk, but to take my camera with me, and report back with what I see. A good challenge actually, and I'm happy to do it. It's making me look for beauty, for things of interest, for details, instead of just seeing the sand, salt and grit that's everywhere right now. 

Evergreens - so thankful to see anything green right now, plus pine cones! Bonus :) 

A neighbor's retaining wall, built with logs.

Loved the classic VW, the paint job, the pallets, but especially the bumper sticker 

that reads: "Some assembly required." 

The thick bark on a tree. Not seeing a lot of buds or leaves yet, but trees are always interesting. 

And this paw print... Maybe a neighborhood Yeti? 

the shine of winter

Spring is almost here. Winter is melting quickly away. People are coming out of hibernation, and enjoying the sunshine and warmer days. It all feels new and fresh. 

But this last bit of winter has also been really beautiful. 

The sunlight sparkling on a light flurry of snow. 

Birds rebuilding their nests, and readying for new eggs. 

 Icicles sparkling in the daylight, as they melt and drip from the roof. 

 And catching the glisten of winter lights, still hanging from the eaves. As much as I am ready for the beauty of spring, I can still appreciate the last images of winter.