wildflower

March Awakenings

/ Rebecca / 12 Comments

Here are a few photos taken around the lake and wildlife refuge in March. It’s always exciting to witness the flowers blooming, the leaves turning green, and the little creatures stirring after their winter rest.

One of my favorite sightings was a mink that ran across the road in front of us and quickly vanished into the swampy woods, showing no inclination to stop for a photograph.

Just as the earth awakens and renews itself in spring, so too Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, during this Easter season.

“Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.” ~Martin Luther

Spring Around the Levee

/ Rebecca / 14 Comments

The fields surrounding the levee were filled with chattering birds …

and adorned with vibrant spring wildflowers.

“Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.”  ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Subtle Signs of Spring

/ Rebecca / 14 Comments

We chose a chilly, windy day for a hike at Fort Donaldson. The wildflowers are slowly beginning to make an appearance, and the redbud trees are in full bloom.

“Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men.” ~Chinese Proverb

Roadside Beauties

/ Rebecca / 12 Comments

The ditches running beside the country roads are sprinkled with a variety of seasonal flowers. Though often overlooked, they add beauty, color and texture to the landscape for all to enjoy.

Fiery red Cardinal flowers …

… growing together with showy pink clusters of milkweed.

Ironweed’s deep purple blooms …

… surrounded by a variety of other late summer beauties.

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” ~Frances Hodgson Burnett

Golden Treasures

/ Rebecca / 14 Comments

Everywhere you look, nature is aglow with autumn’s golden hues.  These are some of the beautiful golden treasures that I have seen and appreciated over recent weeks.

… Life on earth is truly a gift
every moment we must treasure,
it’s the simple things we take for granted
that become our ultimate pleasures.
~Kathy J Parenteau

Unlikely places

/ Rebecca / 13 Comments

“No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere.”  ~ Sheryl Crow

“Wildflowers don’t care where they grow.”  ~Dolly Parton

“I think I like wildflowers best … They just grow wherever they want.  No one has to plant them.  And then their seeds blow in the wind and they find a new place to grow.”  ~Rebecca Donovan

“Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.”  ~Ronald Dahl

“How does the Meadow flower its bloom unfold?  Because the lovely little flower is free down to its root, and in that freedom bold.”  ~William Wordsworth

Getting away

/ Rebecca / 9 Comments

It was nice to get away recently and spend a few days relaxing with family at Chickasaw State Park.   The park is a rustic place, not too far from home, where one can be out in nature enjoying walking trails, picnics, camp fires, and a variety of lake activities.

“A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you’ve been taking.”  ~Earl Wilson

Wildflowers along the levee

/ Rebecca / 11 Comments

The landscape along the Mississippi levee was ablaze with the beautiful, vibrant colors of a variety of wildflowers this past weekend.  No matter which direction you looked, the scenery was breathtaking.

“Spring is a whimsical wanderer, blooming beauty along her path”.  ~Angie Weiland-Crosby