Early Spring Flowers

We don't have a lot of early spring flowers in our yard - and they don't bloom for long...

But they give me so much pleasure... 

Probably because they are suddenly there...

... right after the snow disappears!

A miracle!

I'm particularly pleased to see that this bunch of red tulips is still perfect. Every time I pass by, I count them. Six blooms.

The flowers are often snapped off by a squirrel as soon as they bloom. But it's now day 2 and they are still intact - so I'm hopeful they may be left alone.

Terry and I admired these flowers when we were walking in a neighbourhood called "Old Ottawa South" Terry noticed a bee buzzing around even though the weather wasn't warm..

I haven't noticed bees in our neighbourhood yet. Hopefully we'll see some too!

Our Ducks are Back!

One duck family considers our neighborhood their summer home...

Every spring they arrive...

Are they looking for a new location for their nest? Or just checking out their food options?

This squirrel ran over to check them out...

Then quickly ran off ... (to tell the others)?!

Welcome back! Since you've arrived, it must be spring!

Andrew Haydon Park - With the Kids...

Last week we took our grandkids to Andrew Haydon Park.

It was their first time there.

They played on play structures their father had enjoyed as a child..

We hoped to see some pond animals ... 

Sure enough, Jericho spotted a turtle sunning  on a log.

I wonder if these black eggs in the water are future tadpoles.

So much beauty - and young life - in the park in spring.

I always love going there!

Almost Like Being There

Toronto is only a 4 hour drive away, but we haven't been there all winter.  A combination of factors held is back - including potentially bad roads and snowy weather. Terry also wasn't feeling well for several months, and didn't feel up to the drive.

Even so, we do "drop in" for a quick visit from time to time, thanks to FaceTime - an app similar to Skype. 

I notice that spring is arriving there, too: The leaves on the trees are filling in! Hope to be back soon!

Perth Maple Syrup Festival

Terry and I have a long-standing tradition of driving to Perth (Ontario) for their annual maple syrup festival.

After all, maple syrup is one of Terry's favourite foods - and he loves to sample!

Last Saturday, our family met up there. 

In spite of coolish weather ...

We all had a wonderful time!

More Memories!

Yesterday was Ivy's first "double-digit" birthday...

She turned 10!

Here are a few more memories - provided by our photo app. 

So much fun to remember!

History being made one day at a time.

Looking Back!!

Today is Ivy's 10th birthday!!

For me - and for those who were there at the beginning  - it's a time of looking back and MARVELING at all the changes we've seen... in what seems to be such a short time - in the big picture...

But, of course, for her, it's been a LIFETIME!

Here we are on May 7, 2016. I'm holding this precious baby for the first time. She's one week old!

(Do we all look younger?!)

And here are more "portraits over the years," as chosen by my photo app...

Such great memories for us all!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! You've added so much to our lives!

 🎉    🎂    🎈 

If You Sit Still Enough...

Hmmm. If you sit very, very still, maybe no one will notice you're there!...

I walked past this spot a few days earlier ...

I noticed the sign but I didn't understand.

Then, a few days later, I walked past again... and I noticed her - a mother goose - sitting very, very still in a planter.

The planter was in a quiet corner of a shopping mall.

I looked around but couldn't spot her protector - the father goose. I'm sure he was there, somewhere, watching, ready to fly to her defence.

I'd really love to come by every few days, just to see what is happening - but it's not my usual path...

From my limited experience, I notice that urban Canada geese choose the most unlikely spots to build their simple nests - a few sticks on the roof of the house (next to my daughter's apartment in Guelph). On the edge of a cliff overlooking the river in Manotick. And now this planter in a strip mall.

Her days here may be numbered... 

Is it my imagination, or do I see a gosling peering out from under her wing feathers? Have some or all of her eggs hatched - and she is now covering her chicks with her wings? If so, they may soon be gone.

They don't learn to fly for several months... but they do walk away from their nests when all the eggs are hatched. They follow their parents, when only a few days old, walking - as their parents search for grass and water. Then, several months later, much larger and stronger - they begin to fly.

Loved to Help!

 She's almost 10 now...

But recently my photo app brought back this memory. Seven or eight years ago... (though it seems like yesterday)...

An age when everything - even housework - was a game. It was all pure fun! (And getting that spray bottle to work was a challenge!)

Budding

After a few cold, blustery spring days, I notice trees and bushes budding!

Nature is not deterred! 

Spring is here!

A "Walk on the Wild Side"

Last Sunday, Terry suggested we take a walk at Andrew Haydon Park, on the Ottawa River.

There's a large pond in the middle of the park, where ducks "bob" for food.

We hadn't been there for a while... (Or, as kids apparently now say: we haven't been there "in a minute"...)

The river was running high...

With a brisk wind, the park felt "wilder" than usual.

We saw ducks, seagulls and Canada Geese.

Why are the rocks here so orange? I've never noticed that before.

Had the rocks absorbed the colour of the dead leaves and pine needles?!

No frogs, turtles or otters in the creek this time. I always come to check. 

Chilly, but still a lovely, refreshing walk. 

Glad Terry suggested we head over!

Tidying Up Outdoors

I'm aiming to rake all of our flower beds once this spring - early, before the bugs arrive.

Just to tidy things up.

I'm not the only one tidying up at this time of year.

A group of tree-trimmers arrived at the college a few days ago.

Their task? To clear branches that were encroaching on power lines.

It took them all day. They trimmed and shredded lots of branches.

Everything looks so different now!