It’s Sunny

The sun has finally decided to grace this section of the world! Everyone thought it was going to be a gray summer. While it might technically be summer, at 6300+ feet, it’s not really summer...more like late spring.

Anyway, the landscape is beginning to green up and the lupines are just starting. It’s that hopeful time of year.

We’ve had a lot of prolific robins this year...but today as I was walking in the back, I discovered two blue eggs ... not in a nest, just laying on the ground. Neither is broken. I have no idea why they were abandoned.

The cone flower is growing about 2 inches a day! No sign of a flower, but the plant is making strives to grow one.

As usual, the dandelions are alive and well. It’s a good thing I like them. I titled this picture “double trouble”...and there are many more.

Lastly, the wild geraniums are still blooming. There are not many in the yard, but their pink blooms are always a welcome sight. The geranium you are used to seeing is a lot fuller than the “wild” variety. They are all part of the “cranesbill” family. If you click here you can find out more.

Global Warming?

I've been looking at my pictures from last summer to this summer and discovered that a lot of the flowers that were blooming then are not blooming now. I think it's because we had a colder winter, hence the title of this post. In fact, I've not seen this particular mountain with snow on it as late as June 21.

Last year at this time, there were 6 different flowers in the garden, this year there are 3: dandelion, vinca and geranium (which appeared today).

Last year I did not see any mushrooms, this year there are lots of them. I'm guessing the winter was not only colder it was wetter. (Is this a morel mushroom?? It's the only one I've seen...the others are pretty "ordinary.")

The deer are still eating away in the garden, and this morning I even saw an elk (did not get a picture of her).

I enjoy following the path of summer here in the Valley. I believe the cycle is a bit slower this summer.

We're Back

The past week we've been visiting our two local National Parks with old friends who had never been to Yellowstone or the Tetons. We seldom get to the Parks in early June because it's too cold, and this year was no exception. While we were not snowed on, we did get a bit of rain and cold. One night it got to 27, which is a bit crisp when you're camping. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful time.

Every trip to Yellowstone includes Old Faithful! The best place to see Old Faithful is from the roof top porch of the Old Faithful Inn. It's far from the crowds and the view is just as good if you were at the cone of the geyser.

It also means a ride through the Hayden Valley (aka, America's Serengeti). We were treated to one of the largest bison herds I've ever seen in the Park. And, there were lots of calves. This time of year, the calves are light brown and full of energy...except when they are being leaned on by their mother!

We did see 2 black bears, a big-horn ram, moose, deer, elk, golden and bald eagles, and of course the bison. I had never seen a Big Horn Ram at this park, so he was a real treat.

The baby bisons were too cute! This little guy was trailing behind his mother, but she was constantly looking back to see where he was.Then there was this big guy...looks likes he singing? Maybe he's just happy not to be freezing! I liked the expression on his face and I was able to get a picture of it...amazing how that worked out.

Artist Point is a must see for any first time visitor to the Park. I don't think you can take a bad picture from here. 

This is Tower Falls. It's been a wet winter, so all the streams and waterfalls were full, making them even prettier than usual.

Our last stop was the Tetons. If you have been reading my blog, you know how much I love the Tetons. Here's yet another picture of this tiny mountain range that has my heart!

Sunday Musings

The dandelions are starting to bloom...and so I'm looking at all their details. Take a look at the curly petals, as well as the barbs on the petals...I never knew that a dandelion was that well armed.

While there were no bees in the garden, there were flies. I took the next 2 pictures using a 20x zoom and I'm surprised that I got the detail I did. Usually, if I use the "big" zoom, I use a tripod, but today I held the camera as steady as I could, and these are the results.

Today we were treated to blue sky. I like how the aspens look like they are stretching heavenward to enjoy the beautiful day.

Lastly, we had 2 visitors in the yard. We've not seen many deer this year, so these were a treat to see.

This deer moved her head as I was clicking away...she did not see me, but she did hear the camera.

Maybe, just maybe, spring is starting here in the high country! Spring would be a nice change!

Two Flowers

Yesterday we had a dandelion, today we have a vinca! It's not exactly wild as I planted the vinca several years ago. The center of the vinca is more complex than I thought...take a look.

The vinca were supposed to creep all over the front garden, but that has not happened. They are exactly where I put them. What's wrong with this picture.

The big old aspens are looking mighty crisp. The baby leaves are that early spring shade of green that I truly love. The understory is starting to leaf out too.

All is not green as there has been a lot of moisture and that brings the mushrooms. I don't think these are edible, but they are interesting to look at.

There is also an interloper in the garden...I bought some hanging plants. Most of the flowers in the basket are pink and red, but there's one white bloom. It's the one that really shows up.

Dandy-Lion

We are still in early spring in the Rockies. There is only one flower blooming...the dandelion. The rest are thinking about it, but I think it's too cold for them to raise their pretty heads when attendance is called. On the other hand, the aspen leaves are emerging before our eyes. I think you can see them grow. Every day the forest gets a bit denser and that's a good thing. I like the feeling of our house in the forest...it's calming and relaxing.