DAY 109

It was a perfect snow today. Came down quickly, covered everything in white and it probably won't last very long. An excellent way to end winter.

(Right, Mother Nature?
Are you listening?
Can we be done with this?
Please?)

DAY 108

Real live blossoms!
I saw these today and wanted to post them here as an antidote to tomorrow's predicted storm.

Happy [almost] Spring!

DAY 107

The tracks of a tussle between a bird and a rabbit. It appears that both survived the fray.

DAY 106

Snow day.

It's beautiful, and I love winter. But come on, Spring!

DAY 105

The spirits of winter find strange hiding places to bide their time.

DAY 104

Yes, there is hope for Spring!

Daffodils peeking through along the trail. A very inspiring sight!

[They're in a garden just south of the camelback bridge if you want to watch them]

DAY 103

Does this freshly cut stump only looks like a heart because Valentine's Day is fast approaching?

DAY 102

 These pix were taken to determine whether or not wet, dreary weather is worse than dry, dreary weather.

The results are inconclusive.
Wet drearies can be more interesting due to the sheen.

Dry drearies are at least more pleasant to ride through.

DAY 101

If you like this color, it's your lucky month. I, for one, am tired of unending drab tones. Even the ducks are blending in.

Today I was trying to decide what Crayola Crayon color this would be.
Even that is uninspired: Shadow.

We need Atomic Tangerine. Neon Carrot. Jazzberry Jam.

DAY 100

 When the world is as monochromatic as it is in February, you have to search for the contrast. I've always loved this little yellow birdhouse for just that reason.

 This entire cedar tree had exactly one berry. But it was a beautiful color.

I love redbud trees. I particularly admire the numbers of seedpods they produce, and the orderly way they hang there waiting to be on their way.

DAY 99

It's February. There's not really a lot to photograph right now. The world is waiting to wake up.

But I had to admire the beautiful straight line and perfect contrast between a line of receding ice and the concrete below.

DAY 98

For just a second, I could imagine myself looking at an ancient arch in Tuscany or somewhere.

But it's actually a drainage culvert in Normal.

Addendum to yesterday's post:
This culvert is where the ducks were congregating on Saturday morning. Today I learned why: I met a gentleman who lives in the vicinity and has been feeding the ducks for many years. He has watched the flock grow from one couple to more than thirty quackers.

DAY 97

What the duck!?

So I was in the Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary early this morning (before 6). I kept hearing this odd sound. I finally tracked it down to 30 or so mallards frolicking in the creek. I don't know why they congregated there. They looked (and sounded) as though they were having a great time playing, despite the 11 degree temps!

DAY 96

 It's cold today. So cold I found myself envying the squirrels their tails. Very nice and warm they are.

While I was tooling along freezing my Yoda off.