There Will Be Spring

Early Spring, Crab Apple Orchard, Bernheim Arboretum, Clermont, Kentucky

As we watch the last of Autumn's leaves float wistfully to the ground, covering our lawns and fields and forests,

 we anxiously await the first snows of Winter, with its light fluffy flakes that fall gently onto the landscape, leaving a blanket of white.

Winter comes with it blustery winds and drifting snow and a cold that chills to the bone. 

Least we forget, on the horizon is a season of salvation. There will be Spring. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend as I leave you with this beautiful image I captured in years' past of the gorgeous Crab Apple orchard at Bernheim. I miss the beautiful serenity of Bernheim's landscape. Have a great weekend all. ENJOY!

Spring Dreaming

It is Winter and there is no mistaking that. An cold blast of Arctic air is about to overtake the lower 48 and has already made itself well known in Canada and its Provinces. Many of the folks in the northern States and all of you in Canada are experiencing a brutal Winter with countless inches of snow and yet another snow storm is predicted for this weekend. And yet, I keep thinking about Spring.

Spring with its Crocuses peeking up through the snow. Spring with its Daffodils brightening the landscape with their sunny yellow smiles. Spring with its Tulips in reds and oranges and purples and pinks. Spring with its bright green grasses and newly sprouted leaves. Spring with its warm sunshine and light breezes. Spring with its blue skies and fluffy white clouds. Spring with Easter eggs and Easter bonnets. Spring with Ducklings, Goslings, Bunnies and Chicks. I am dreaming of Spring. I captured this image several Springs back when the Japanese Magnolias were just beginning to bloom at Bernheim in the Arboretum. This pink blossom was one of my favorite images of Spring. I will never forget the year I captured this image. The scent of Magnolia blossoms wafted heavy in the air as I walked among the grove of trees. It was heavenly. I am dreaming of Spring. ENJOY!

Linking to Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Crab Apple Trees, Bernheim

They are pink and white and beautiful. The Crab Apple trees at Bernheim are so fragrant and beautiful with blooms so heavy the trees seem burdened with their blossoms.

And yet they thrive and stand tall as their craggy branches twist and turn making their way out from the trunk.

There's no rhyme or reason to the branches as some even hang low to the ground. All around the parameter lay blossoms having fallen from the ground creating a carpet of sheer heaven. I created a new header with a few of the images of Spring at Bernheim. ENJOY!

Springtime at Bernheim

Walking around the wildflower meadow at Bernheim, a strong scent of Crab Apple blooms hung in the air. It's Springtime at Bernheim and there is lots to take in.

The bright pinks and soft whites of the Crab Apples were so beautiful. The branches of the Crab Apple trees lay low to the ground laden down with the blooms.

The bees were buzzing and Cardinals and Robins were flying in and out of the trees. The sky was bright blue with lots of gorgeous sunshine.

After spending some time walking among the Crab Apple trees, I decided a visit to Lake Nevin across the main road from the meadow was in order. I noticed some Canadian Geese from a distance and wondered if it was too early for Goslings. As I began to approach the lake, I could see their tiny heads. Lucky me! The parents are never happy to see visitors as I and others were walking along the path that circles the lake. The parents decided to take the kiddos for a swim out in the lake and off they all went. I love photographing the Goslings at Bernheim because you can get some really good images.

Easter is behind us and Derby week is fast approaching here in the Bluegrass State. That all important Fastest Two Minute in Sports, the Kentucky Derby, is Saturday after next. But before that comes hot air balloons, bed races downtown, concerts, Derby parties, the Oaks where the Fillies race for that coveted first place spot.

I'm in awe how Spring has finally taken hold and can hardly wait for the warm nights of Summer. ENJOY!

Spring is Coming

Spring is around the corner!

Remembering Spring at Bernheim is easy. I simply open my laptop, press the button to turn it on, type my password and click on my photo archive. And there in vivid color is Spring from the past. Spring with pink and blue and lavender and white. With the Crab Apple Tree and the Japanese Magnolia Tree and the Jasmine bush. ENJOY!

Birds, Berries, Boxes, Bernheim & Brrrrr

Birding at Bernheim last weekend found me walking around the wildflower meadow and the many different groves of Crab Apple trees with their bright red berries ripe and ready.

As I made my way back to the front of the meadow, there stands a grove of Crab Apples completely covered in bright red berries ready for the picking. And that's just what this Cedar Waxwing had in mind. And he had no plans for a photo session. Hence, the not so sharp image, as he stopped long enough to hesitate and then take off again. Are they finicky birds? I don't know, as I'm not accustomed to photographing them. Perhaps I should look that up.

Closer to the front of the trees I found a much more compliant photo specimen in this White Throated Sparrow. He actually stayed put for more than a few seconds while I snapped photos. All in all the birds were busy jumping from tree to tree and limb to limb and berry to berry.

Soon the berries will be gone and many of the birds will too. But just in case they should decide to overwinter in Kentucky, there are plenty of bird boxes at Bernheim for them to seek refuge from the harsh winter weather. Speaking of which someone turned on winter today with snow and 32 degrees. Brrrrr. ENJOY!

Crab Apple Blooms

Of Dandelions and Crab Apples

Now isn't that a strange combo, Dandelions and Crab Apples. Well that's what I found a few weeks ago at Bernheim. The Dandelions were blanketing the ground around these Crab Apple trees almost as though they had set out to protect them from the elements. And it was truly special to see. Hope your week is off to a fantastic start because we're moving into the middle lane and in keeping with the week's Derby Festivities, we're heading to the finish line. ENJOY!

Crab Apple Blooms