Lakes and Valleys

...far across the valley below my mountain lair there is a quarry next to the river.  When the river overflows its banks, like it has done several times over the past month or so, the quarry fills with water. This morning, under clear blue skies, with the cherry trees starting to blossom, it looked more like a beautiful lake than just a ravaged hole in the earth...

Home Sweet Home

...in one corner of my backyard, along the fence, these beauties have appeared.  Nature is a mysterious entity and must have figured this spot was perfect--tucked out of the way of the mower, the winds that swirl around that side of the house, and any deer that want to munch on a wee bit of sunshine...

At Last

...after days of heavy rain, several trees have washed downriver and become snagged, making excellent bird perches. This morning, walking the boys in the monsoon, I spied this strange bird--again.  Though I failed to identify it months ago, after a deeper, more intense search today, I now know who this handsome guy is. Allow me to present the Double-Crested Cormorant...

Sweet Face

...this morning, sitting at the dining room table on my laptop, I glanced out the front window to see the resident deer family munching away on my newly budding trees. Before I went out on the deck to shoo them away, I grabbed the camera.  As they moved out of my yard, this little teenager turned to look back at me...and posed just long enough for me to take this shot.

Sunshine in a Flower

...I was out in the back garden this morning to survey any damage after a weekend of gusty winds and torrential rains, and discovered these colorful little tulips nestled alongside some tiny jonquils. Even on the darkest day, or in the midst of the foulest weather, beauty still somehow shines through...

Babies...

...yesterday's weather was wild and chaotic with snow and ice and wind and rain.  I loved it.  I saw these tiny little icicles beginning to sprout along the eaves as I watched one of several storms rage across the valley below the house. Couldn't resist a close-up...

A Little Patch of Green...

...the first little glimmer of sunshine after many days of fog and rain.  In fact, I didn't post a photo last week because, frankly, there wasn't anything to see.  This morning, though cold, at least opened up the vista a bit so I could see the mountains...and a brilliant slice of promise, shining on the valley floor.