While out and about yesterday, a day that was not under another wave of the Pineapple Express for a change, but bright though cloudy, I spotted some plantings of little hellebore with perky heads, unlike those in my garden with their hanging ones, the kinds you have to lift up to look at their faces.

I even found a fallen or picked blossom, somewhat bruised though it is, to take home and scan. Which do you like better?

I think my favourite scan may still be this one and I do love these macro photos.

found on a very very rainy day
food for the reindeer (if we had any)

compare to my other lichen images here and here

The Pineapple Express recently brought us very heavy rains matched by warm temperatures up to 16C (60F) at our place, meaning no weekend snowsports in the mountains. Today’s brilliant sunny day tempted me out into the garden. Still swampy in places from that rainstorm, I put on my waterproof boots and went out for a garden inspection. I knew the snowdrops and some of the early crocuses were out, plus numerous emerging green tips of other spring flowering bulbs were a delight to see. As I cleaned up some of the leaf litter to give them light and air, I too felt a cleansing of winter’s cobwebs.

I did take some photos of the snowdrops as I’ve done every year. But the above image found on the side of the house excited me much more artistically. And yes, I did leave this cobweb in place for now.

Meanwhile I hope the folks in the northeast US will survive a major blizzard.

Added later – It has hit the Maritimes as well!

curbside

on the beach

silvery and green

death and growth

back to earth

We’ve been away for a few days again recently, this time in the Victoria area visiting middle daughter’s family. I have some interesting things to share but am quite busy with much work in home and garden. However I just had to scan and visually preserve this stalk of beautiful going-to-seed water iris picked from their lake front.

Our weather continues to be glorious with very warm days and cool nights.