Dandelions are growing everywhere now in our backyard and even though they are in the lawn, they make me surprisingly happy. I refuse to call them weeds. I love to see them poking up in the cracks of our sidewalk and along the path to the garden. They are like little mini sunflowers in the springtime. If you have some dandelions in your yard, don't miss the dandelion challenge in the new Spring Nature Study Ebook. You can also read all about dandelions in the Handbook of Nature Study.
There is also a nice big mullein growing in the backyard and I know from last year's mullein that this is a plant that grows like crazy. We watched a mullein grow in our garden all summer long and it provided a great source of food for the bees, the hummingbirds, and then later the finches. This plant is listed as a weed in the Handbook of Nature Study too. I can't imagine why.
These are the buds unfurling on my new apple tree. My dear husband brought this tree home and planted it just for me. How did he know I wanted to study the apple tree up close using the Handbook of Nature Study? We are going to be keeping track of its growth as part of the Spring Nature Study Series as well. Let's hope the deer stay away from this tree and we can have a few apples in the fall.
We have a bush on the north side of our house that is blooming with these pretty white flowers. I do not know what the bush is called, but I think it is rather pretty.
We also took a few day trips this week....thanks to an early spring break and some glorious weather.
If you have never smelled daphne blooming before you have truly missed out on a springtime delight. We discovered a garden filled with daphne at one of our state parks. I think it something we would like to add to our home garden.
I was sitting under a tree waiting for the boys to meet up with me one afternoon and look who came to inspect. These Brewer's blackbirds flew into the tree overhead and let me take their photo.
We visited a farm that has thousands of daffodils blooming this time of the year.
I decided that daffodils make me happy.
Once again, I had my son as a companion photographer.
Isn't this a great color combination? I love the mix of daffodils and hyacinths in this garden.
One last sign of spring from our day trips...tulips. Wow! This one was really red and brilliantly colored.
I have really enjoyed reading everyone's signs of spring this week. Thank you to all who have participated.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
