”The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?“
Psalm 113:4-6 (ESV)
This waxing crescent caused me to run out in bare feet, sweats, and a tee shirt across a wet pasture at 49 degrees. I woke up a bit later than planned and feared the chance would fade once the sun broke over the horizon! Beginning today, with daylight saving time in effect, I can sleep a little later… for a few weeks anyway!
Since I was already wet, cold, and hungry, I decided to stay out for a few minutes and see what first light looked like around the garden. This spirea had just popped out over the last few days and took on a pink glow after daylight. It caught my eye, particularly with the white pot as background! However, it was now time to go inside and warm up.
A large number of white pelicans are still hanging around. I finally found them close enough to get a few photos. Pelicans seem to be coot friendly, as the smaller black birds work in and out without causing a disturbance!
Holly is usually featured only around Christmas as the red berries stand out against the green leaves. You know, it’s a holly jolly Christmas. But if holly doesn’t have blooms in March and April, there would be no berries in the fall! I ran across this near the bird sanctuary Thursday, and thought it looked nice with those bright shiny leaves.
Grands playing garden games while waiting on everything to blossom out and green up. They love hide-and-seek but there’s not much to hide behind just yet!
As you can clearly see, hiding spots in and around the garden are at a seasonal low. The grands will climb one of the bare trees and think they are hidden. Maybe that’s because I will look for them 10 minutes or so, pretending I cannot find them. They are aware my hearing is not so good and perhaps have concluded my vision is very poor also!
When I walk out back and decide to take a short hike over the meadow and through the woods, I find spots like this where I can sit and be captivated by the sights and sounds of water. No highway noise can be heard while sitting on these rocks. (But there were mosquitoes already!)
I don’t know if there’s room for another vine to find a home here. You would think that this tree, being totally wrapped up in vines, couldn’t possibly be alive. The fact is, this is a large, very tall, healthy looking pine tree. Apparently growing on the shore near the lake provides all the water and nutrients to feed an abundance of roots!
75 degrees and light wind made for a fine day to fly the drone. All the white trees are rogue Callery (Bradford) Pears. The original Bradford was supposed to be sterile and produce no offspring, but were subject to splitting and breaking easily in windy conditions. I understand, in an effort to improve that situation, a variety was developed that was not so vulnerable to limbs splitting off. These Bradford cultivars crossed with each other and other flowering pears with unanticipated results. These trees, that were not supposed to bear seeds and reproduce…
…are prolific, fast growing, and will take over any open area if it is left to itself for a couple of seasons. What can I say, they are beautiful trees, and some of the first to bloom, blooming ahead of leafing out. My sense of smell is very diminished since the virus, but these blooms smell like rotting fish. I guess the statement is true, looks can be very deceiving!
This Bradford is in Pam’s dad’s yard. It is very old and is an original ornamental that he planted for Pam’s mom. It is not a rogue version. The blooms look the same to me, but the runaway wild trees have become very invasive and have long thorns! I removed 3 from our property yesterday.
As the water warms, aquatic plants begin to emerge from the shallows.
A group of larger turtles take up about all the available space on this rotten log. There’s really a spot for another one or two on the upper end but this bunch doesn’t welcome…
…this turtle. Every time he came close to the log, one of the others would stir a little as if to say “get lost”. And this poor guy would swim back and forth trying to figure it out!
The Japanese Magnolias were blooming everywhere last week. We ride by and check on this one every year. It is a large tree in an older downtown neighborhood.
Our much younger Japanese Magnolia has been slower to break into the spring spirit. In fact, as a precaution in case the weather turned cold, P J says the buds were wearing fur coats or fleece jackets.
By Thursday however, we were finally seeing some action from our tree. This is the tree that somehow survived two consecutive years of deer attacks and molestation. Maybe wearing a “jacket” for a few more days would’ve been a good idea since predictions for tonight are calling for 31 degrees. Since it seems to be a survivor, maybe it will hang around and grow old and the grands can enjoy it!
While doing some tractor work to restore a washed out creek crossing, I had a surprise visit from a beaver. I no doubt created a disturbance that brought the curious rodent out of hiding to investigate what was going on. I only had a cell phone, but he did come fairly close. Typically beavers are somewhat more shy than this one, at least that’s my experience!
We love it when readers and friends share a photo and allow us to use it in a post. Today we enjoy a very peaceful and calming sunset, a bit east of Alabama, but still in the south…as in South Carolina. Thank you Roxanne. I believe the waterfowl are swimming to touch the sun!
Wishing everyone a calm and peaceful week!
”May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.“
Psalm 67:1-2 (ESV)
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Hope you don’t get a cold from parading into the cold. Thats what my mama would say to you. But it was a fine sun rise. And you are the only person in my world that would say you get to sleep later because of daylight saving time. I would wish our government would stop this nonsense. Maybe sleepy Joe agrees with you. Roxanne’s sunset is very much appreciated. Looks like Spring is everywhere in the South and the Bradford pear trees are showing off. I’ve never smelled their blooms and I’m glad to say it.Your grands think their granddad can’t see. I can just hear their giggles. So precious! The turtles are some of my favorites but I don’t like that they have some human flaws such as not waning to share. Thank you for a walk through Spring in your part of our country.
I agree with the so called daylight savings time, as if God did not know what He was doing when He created the day and night. My husband was just getting to drive his 40 mile commute to work in the daylight. Now he will be driving in the dark again. I know some states do not recognize the time change. I doubt if my state of Pennsylvania will ever change.
Good thoughts Maryann. I remember when I was working having to leave before daylight when the time changed. You can’t add to, or take away daylight by adjusting a clock. God designed the changes. Hope you have a good week!
Alice, I agree, it would be nice if they would leave the time alone. If I want to be sure I catch a sunrise it’s now an hour later on the clock but the sun doesn’t know the difference. Spring is showing up here but it’s cold today and we have a freeze warning tonight. Thanks for your comments and have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Spring is really springing forward now, I love the blooming white pear trees, there are several huge ones in my neighborhood and the petals are covering the ground like snow, it’s so pretty! Love your drone capture of them! That’s so cute about your grands finding places to hide! I love the photo of the bloom wearing a “fur coat” As I always tell you Butch, you find such wonderful beauty in nature! I’m glad you will be able to sleep a little later for a while now that DST has begun 🙂 I hope you both have a lovely week ahead~
Thanks Jenna. With this cold front and wind I’ve also seen those white blooms covering the ground like snow in places. I think our bodies are programmed based on daylight and dark and I will wake up accordingly, it’s just later on the clock with DST. I’m hoping for wind tonight so we can maybe avoid frost. You probably won’t have any since you are a little further south. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Wonderful pictures! Have a blessed Sunday!
Thank you Maristella. Enjoy your day and have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful pics as always. Love always seeing your grand loves. Happy Sunday have a great week. Hugs. Kris
Thank Kris. It’s always good to hear from you. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
OH!! How beautiful, we see very little of spring here, so it’s like a preview of coming attractions.
Thank you Nonie. We hope you see signs of spring soon. Have a good week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! The photograph that Roxanne shared is stunning! The Japanese Magnolias are so pretty and such a welcome sign after the winter. Your grandchildren are absolutely beautiful and look like they are having such a wonderful time. The invasive pear trees are dotting our woodlands and countryside as well, and I have noticed several with the terrible thorns as I go on my afternoon walks. I hope you both a have blessed and wonderful week ahead!
Thanks for your comments Shannon. One grand has an ear infection so I guess we won’t be playing this afternoon. Those pear trees are pretty but not really good to have around. If I put a bloom in contact with my nose I can slightly detect the smell that I hear folks talk about. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
So many interesting photos today. Even though you are still having some cold spells, it certainly does look like spring is on its way with the beautiful Japanese Magnolias and pear trees in bloom.
Karen, we will have a few cold snaps on into April. You are probably spared that down in the sunshine state. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I learned something from your post. I did not know about the rogue Bradford pear tree that multiplies.
That pine tree covered in vines is quite something. You find so many interesting things.
Love the crescent moon pic but I think you need to keep some shoes by the door from now on! Bonnie
Thank you Bonnie. I now have shoes by the door that are easy to slip on for those picture taking emergencies. As pretty as they are, those Bradford pears are not a good choice. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning Pam and Butch! It looks like everything is coming up in the pink in the garden! And the grandchildren are blooming too. It was so special for me that you shared my SC sunset! Thank you!!
We all thank you for that sunset Roxanne. I love that the grands bloom year round. I’ve seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s but I’m ready for a breakfast at Madison’s. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday, Folks! I enjoyed seeing all the spring blooms in your neck of the woods. I sure hope your feet recovered from the cold runabout! I agree with Bonnie; it’s time to keep some shoes by the back door. The littlest are getting so big! I can’t believe it! I remember the Bradford Pears in neighborhoods in Ohio and Pennsylvania but did not know they were becoming invasive. I will have to look for them when we get back.
Another lovely stroll. Thank you so much! Enjoy your week to come!
Thanks for your comments Nancy. Interesting you mention seeing the pear trees in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Many states are considering banning the Bradford pear and Ohio was the first state to do so, followed by Pennsylvania and I think SC. Have an enjoyable week!
Butch and Pam
The rogue Callery (Bradford) pears are a sight to behold! And I’m so in love with all the spring blooms! Wishing the two of you a beautiful Sunday filled with many blessings!
Thanks Mary. That sea of white is everywhere around here right now. Spring blooms may get a little hit tonight with cooler weather but hopefully not too much. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
We are very similar in what we’re seeing here as compared to your observations, Butch – the Bradford pears, tulip magnolias, and spirea. I love it all, spring is my favorite season! Thank you for sharing the beauty. I haven’t seen our resident turtles on the boulders of our river yet, but we just had 2″of rain yesterday and the rock won’t be visible for a few days! I had to cover one of my peonies that’s already about 8″ tall for tonight’s below 30°. Here’s hoping for a nice, warm week. Happy Daylight Savings Time to the Richardsons!
Thank you Rita. I’m surprised that you have a peony so tall. Ours are just barely above ground. We had 3” of rain with this front. We have the possibility of frost tonight and tomorrow night here. Need the wind to keep blowing. Have a nice week in WV!
Butch and Pam
What a beautiful way to begin the day with such glorious pics. I have always loved the Bradford pear as a single specimen…and they were prone to breakage in heavy wind. But as with all of nature I have found one man’s treasure could be considered another man’s trash so to speak. A good example is the wild Mexican petunia here in Florida which is so invasive but in the high mountain desert, it is considered a treasure. The Indian paintbrush flourishes in the New Mexican soil and can be a pain albeit a pretty pain…whereas other states purchase the plant at great expense. To me? I love them all no matter their given status so thank you and Butch for making this day even more special. Glory be to God.
Bless you Kari and thanks. We had Mexican petunias in a small garden spot years ago and when it was time for a change, they weren’t ready to go anywhere. The Bradford pears also have beautiful fall color. I wish they weren’t impossible to keep under control. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
That is really something about how the beautiful pear trees smell like rotting fish. Looks surely can be deceiving. Makes me think about spiritual things and how we can have “the look” of a devout Christian, but the fruit we bear may not be sweet-smelling at all. I got tickled about the turtles not letting that poor, lone turtle up on the log! It’s always such a joy to read Butch’s writing and hear his interesting thoughts. I hope God blesses you all with a wonderful week!
Thanks Cheryl for your thoughts about “the look”. You reminded me of Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 2:14-16. And yes, even turtles with extra space exhibit selfish behavior. Hope you have a blessed week.
Butch and Pam
The Spirea looks like fireworks and everything else is just as festive – shouting hallelujah!
Thanks Leslie Anne, I hadn’t thought of fireworks. And thanks for the shout. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
The sunrise and sunset pics are both gorgeous! The turtles and all the nature pics are always fun to see. Bradford pear trees are indeed beautiful but are a menace as they all end up breaking in the high winds. We had a neighborhood near us that lined their outer neighborhood space with them. I think they may have a couple left as the others lost so many limbs that the trees died or had to be cut down. Our Japanese magnolia is now blooming and I’m always happy to see it as I love the color. Enjoy your week and the DST! I love DST but the adjustment is a little rough! Clara❤️
Thanks so much Clara. I’m glad to hear your magnolia is giving you a spring treat. Hope a few cool nights don’t harm the blooms. I actually prefer DST but mainly wish the powers that be would stop changing it. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Another collection of uplifting and informative visions… The children are a joy and precious to behold.
The spirea look so lacy and elegant and the colorful Japanese Magnolia, so snug wrapped in fur. Thank you for braving the cold for that sunrise and Roxanne’s lovely sunset. I can hear the water bubbling
over the rocks and fill with wonder at that vine covered pine that chooses to prevail. Sunrise/Sunset
God’s time frame… best followed His Way….. we are already up to our ears in adjusting… Blessed
Sabbath week to all…
Thank you Mary for those kind observations. I’m amazed that we think we can save daylight, you said it well…God’s time frame/His Way. And yes, always something to adjust to, but I’m glad we are all present to make the “adjustment effort”. Roxanne does live in a lovely place over in Carolina. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Every photo is a treat, Butch and Pam! The one of the pine tree encased in vines gives me hope for a tree on the edge of our little strip of woods, that runs through the neighborhood behind all our houses. It too is slowly-but-surely being engulfed by invasive grape vines. I’d be out there chopping them down as soon as they appeared but there’s a steep incline and I’d risk injuring myself in a fall. Perhaps the tree will survive much longer than I thought!
Thank you Nancy for your comments. I think running the risk of what vines might do to that tree is a far better idea that you possibly being injured. Maybe a little research would show the vines won’t harm the tree anyway?? Chances are your tree will be fine for a long time. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful pictures Butch, as always. The crescent moon is gorgeous (maybe worth the cold feet?) and Roxanne’s sunset is stunning. Love the grands trying to hide from you thinking that you can’t see lol. We don’t have the Bradford pear hear – at least I don’t think we do, but it sounds like this is one situation where the diminished sense of smell is not a bad thing. I do hope you recover it though. I hope the Japanese magnolia survives any frost – good thing for the fur coat; they are a beautiful tree and I imagine that they smell heavenly. I’m with you about DST; they say there are more accidents and heart attacks on the Monday following the change. Anyway, wishing you both a wonderful and no-frost week!
Thanks so much Kim. I’m going to check but probably you are too far north for the Bradford pear. I’ve never considered what zones it might grow in. Pam says the Japanese magnolia does have a wonderful fragrance. I’ve read conflicting numbers from surveys about people’s preference, DST or Standard time, but I guess mostly people wish it would stop changing. We survived last night with no frost but will likely see it tonight. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Bradford tree “here” lol.
It’s getting beautiful i your world! I’m sorry your sense of smell is still diminished, Butch, but in the case of that one tree, maybe that’s not such a bad thing! Have a wonderful week!
Jeanie, it is at times a blessing to not be able to smell. I did put a bloom basically on the end of my nose and I could tell at least in a subdued way that what people were saying was true, not a pleasant odor. Hope you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Your spring pictures are just beautiful! So much to love in early spring – and I have often – like you – ran outside at the last moment to catch a picture of the beautiful skies, because we know it won’t last long! Your blooms are just gorgeous, and give me hope here that spring blooms will be coming soon 🙂 Many blessings to you!
Thanks so much Marilyn. Photo opportunities can appear and vanish quickly. I’m leaving warm clothes by the door now. Got out for a sunrise this morning but it was a pleasant morning and 82 this afternoon. Have a great weekend!
Butch and Pam
I love spring as everything starts to burst forth. Love your pictures and the turtle one is awesome.
Congratulations, you are being featured on
Thursday Favorite Things. I hope you stop by. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2024/03/springtime-on-tft.html
Hugs,
Bev
Thanks for the feature, Beverly. I will be over to visit!