OK, Who Did This?

Last year the top of my hummingbird birdbath got broken. Now the top of my lavender birdbath got knocked off. Luckily there is just a chip in the rim. I know the squirrels drink from it all the time. It may be the stalker black cat that waits for my birds.

A Walk in the Park

Black Crows on river....note the ice still on the river in above picture. It was very cold when I was walking. I almost went back to my car, but I carried on and went my usual distance. It was so bright and sunny it was easy to be fooled. Next week at this time I will be arriving in South Carolina. Can't wait to see everybody. Last I saw Amy and the kids was last August and Takeshi it's been a year. Amy informs me her computer is on the fritz. I was looking forward to keeping in touch on facebook and posting on my blog. Hope they are able to get it fixed. Guess I could try to borrow John's laptop.

Yard Work

This is not a good time to do any yard work in Michigan. It's too wet and you can damage your lawn and flower beds by walking on them but.........I really needed to do some clean up before I go to South Carolina. There were branches, twigs, leaves and other debris both front and back.













So, I choose this morning to make a start. It was sunny and about 25 degrees and...the ground was frozen. I could walk in the beds and not even make a foot print. Once I got started it wasn't even that cold. Now where did all the leaves come from? I did a meticulous fall clean up but they crept in from somewhere. I also had a big mess where I have been feeding the birds all winter or I should say, feeding the sparrows.
As I was cleaning I did discover signs of spring. There were some crocuses coming up in the front bed and in the back, my very favorite, sedum "Autumn Joy" under a layer of leaves. So, spring is on the way, I think.
It got down to 16 last night and our day-time temps are about 20 degrees below the expected average. Worst spring in memory...my memory anyway.

Emma Grace....last game

Here is Emma, quite pleased with herself. Her team won their last game on Saturday. Both Liam and Emma have wrapped up basketball for the year. I really enjoyed watching them play and will miss my Saturdays in Troy. Soccer next, I think.

WINTER STORM WATCH

Rain, sleet and snow on the way.....no fair...I say...to all of you in South Carolina and Kansas!

Sunday Walk

I went traipsing through the woods today looking for any sign of spring. Not a swollen bud or early wild flower was to be seen. It looked like November. The river was still frozen in some spots and there were also small piles of snow here and there. I was fooled into thinking spring was here. I had hoped to see an early snow drop. I know that this nature trail has wild flowers from past walks. Too early, I guess. What was in evidence were frogs. They were making a racket. Are they seeking a mate this early?
I guess I will have to wait for South Carolina trip to see spring. My daughter said that her azaleas are ready to bloom.

From this.....

To this! I think that spring has finally sprung. Although the picture above was taken last year it is what is to come in a few short weeks. I know that we are not out of the woods (literally) yet. In fact, they are predicting a few days this week with really low temperatures. But we have had some beautiful, sunny, days. The Dairy Queen is open and tomorrow at 7:21pm is the vernal equinox. We are on our way...........

Harbingers of Spring

American Robin

Red-Winged Blackbird

and then there is this guy!

Today I walked in Council Point Park. You know that I usually go to a metropark but with the price of gas I thought I would try closer to home. Actually the park is within walking distance. For some reason, I have been resistant to using this park. I can be so silly sometimes!
It was sunny but cold and the walking path went for some distance along the Ecorse River. The birds were singing away and I saw a variety: robins, goldfinches (in winter colors), juncos, red-winged blackbirds, cardinals and a pileated woodpecker. I wish that I had had my camera although he didn't stick around for long and flew up river. I have never seen the pileated but it is very recognizable by it's size, long neck and crested head. I think woody woodpecker was a pileated. Seriously!
If it's a nice day tomorrow, I may try my luck at getting a picture. Check out the link below to see Woody.
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/183/_/Pileated_Woodpecker.aspx

Snow Again!

This beautiful landscape is of my brother's property in Ohio. I know we are all so sick of snow but this is a great picture. I emailed my brother and commented on the "back yard and trail" He emailed me back to say that it wasn't the trail but their driveway....geez!

This is Max. He is in his pen and does not look happy. Maybe he hates having his picture taken...more likely he doesn't like the the snow.

A Study of Boy in School Play

He knew all the words, sang all the songs, did his speech but really.......did he enjoy one minute if it???????

An almost a smile.....

Now Liam is enjoying being in the lime light!

Great International Festival at Hill Elementary.

TW Carney

Isn't this picture great? What a dapper guy. This is my ex-husband's grandfather.This makes him my grand kids great-great grandfather.

His name was Thomas Carney and my ex and his brother share a remarkable resemblance to him. I don't know much else about him but I sure wish that I could have picture of my great-great- grandfather.

I wish that I was here...sitting in that Adirondack chair looking out over Lake Erie with a glass of sweet tea and a cigarette (neither are an option for me I'm afraid).

I just received my new copy of Bird Watchers Digest and it is always filled with interesting articles and I read it cover to cover. Anyway, it really got me into the mood for buying a new pair of binoculars...ha! A good pair is pretty expensive I bet. Anyway, found a store in Berkley that I may check out.

The sun is out today so I am happy. Took a walk in Lower Huron Metropark yesterday. The birds were singing away so spring must be near. We still have a huge amount of snow on the ground so no matter how sunny it is, it will still feel and look like winter.