End of May, already!

Here are a few shots taken in my backyard recently.

The Arum, or Jack-in-the-Pulpit, is done with it's 'blooming' stage, and now all the foliage will die back, leaving the stalk with the stamen to mature into a one-to-two foot stem with a 'popsicle' of red berries in late summer.

And here are some taken when Frank visited ealier this month.

This last one of an entrance gate at Shadwell Farm has been slightly enhanced with 'watercolor effect'.

Spring day in the Bluegrass

A visit at one of the horse farms in the area, to inspect the foals of a few mares owned by Team Valor. Who can resist taking pictures of 'baby animals'? A view of a pasture, and one I called "hindsight" (inspecting a yearling). (Thoroughbreds, all)

If this is tax day, it must be April.

Time for a new batch of photos. A front-step concrete pot with creeping phlox and columbine. Some tulips in my front yard, and a cherry blossom. I like the effects you can get with the Paint.net editing program.

And finally, Sabrina and Spot take time to relax.... A table for two, please.

The Farm House

On Monday, I went out to the 'farm house' on Mill Creek Pike, to see that all was in order out there. Aside from the winter's fallen branches that were meant to have been hauled away by this time, everything looked ok. The Realtor was showing the place to an older couple. Hopefully, this beautiful home will be sold (or leased) soon. These pictures were not edited, except to resize them. The rose-colored flower is magnolia. The blooming trees are apples, the pods are wisteria. I loved the reflections in the pond.

Bags and blooms

A Little more yardwork done today and the back yard is pretty well 'tidied up'. Bagged up and set out another four bags of leaves and cuttings. Next project is replacing the blade on the lawnmower, and mowing the front yards. Tomorrow's job, if it does not rain. It was nice this morning, sprinkled a light shower this afternoon. The rain and wind last week made short work of the magnolia blossoms, which are about all gone now. Some grape hyacinths have appeared in my front yard, periwinkle (vinca) are starting to bloom, and I have a sum total of four pink tulips. I saw a few bluebells opening in Kathy's yard. Peonies are shooting up, as are dutch iris, day lilies, some unidentified bulbs, hostas, and ferns. Much of these are in the beds with the liriope that I just finished cutting back, and is now showing new growth. Clematis are coming to life, hydrangea, everything. Even a dandelion. Here are today's 'best' photos.

Mirrored Image

The amaryllis is amazing. The blooms are so big. I think this one has the largest flowers of any I've ever had. I set it by the bathroom mirror so I could show all of the flowers in one shot. Fourth bud will open today.

Frosty this morning, but will reach 60. Sunny and still. Lovely day to do some more yardwork.

And more of the same

A few narcissus blooming now behind my house, some also with lighter centers. Daffodils in other places, and a few grape hyacinths. The Rhodadendren blooms are less than two inches wide, but the centers (stamens) were interesting, up close. Not the sharpest pictures, but fun.