Visit to the Anchorage City Greenhouse

I finished my last concert yesterday morning, so I decided to 

treat myself to a visit to the Anchorage City Greenhouse.

It's a very small greenhouse, but perfect for a short visit.

It's been cold outside this week and today our high was

only about 42 degrees in some parts of town.

I always stop to see the fish in the pond and I was excited to see

this Christ Thorn plant blooming.  In the greenhouse

they are small compact plants, but they can be used for 

hedging in tropical climates.  

It was very peaceful in the greenhouse, so I really enjoyed

walking around and taking photos of some of my

favorite plants.

I always stop to photograph the cactus's,  their spiny geometry 

always amazes me.

There were hundreds of Ladybugs hiding in the plants.  

 I spotted this one running on a chain.

Beautiful colors...

And even a grapefruit!

It was nice to get out of the cold and wind.

I heard they are predicting a mix of rain and snow for this weekend.

It's been a slow start to spring after such a long cold winter.

Outside the tulips are starting to appear, so I know this cold spell

will be short lived.

Thank goodness for city greenhouses!

Some Oregon Heaven!!!

I took a trip out to Oregon this last week and fell into Heaven!!!

The Portland neighborhood streets were blooming paradises for me.

It was so relaxing!

I had to take pictures of everything...

And when your an Alaskan that just went through a record all time snow fall,

flowers make you forget that cold winter instantly.

Dogwood Blooms....

Rhododendron blooms....

Fields of color....

It was amazingly beautiful!!!

Oregon had a pretty cold winter as well so all the blooms were a little 

on the late side, but perfect timing for me.

I was so happy so see the cherry trees still blooming.

We drove out to the Willamette Valley and stopped for a walk along the

river.  I love this old paddle wheeler.

There is a floating dock for fisherman to sit out on.  One lucky fisherman

caught this little guy.  I don't know what kind of fish it is,

but it was sent back to the water.  This fisherman was looking

for something bigger and tastier!

Along the riverbank I saw these beautiful wild pussy willows.

I have never seen any this long.

I spotted deer tracks along the way.

And wild irises.

I also spotted this mother bird trying to tuck all her babies under her wing.

If you look closely you can see a set of legs hanging out from under her.

I love Oregon and it's ivy.  

And all the mossy lichens in the trees.

It was a bit of heaven for me!!

The Sun Brings Migrating Birds and Flowers

Our quiet winter wilderness has become very

noisy lately due to all the migrating

ducks and birds. 

Our ponds, lakes, and streams are full of ducks and

geese looking for good nesting spots.

And...the air is filled with song!!!

It's a total rebirth for my soul!!

I went down to the Lagoon and took some beautiful

photos of the Canadian Geese that 

are resting before they fly on

to their summer nesting destinations.

The Sea Gulls have also arrived, they make such

a racket, but I love them.

I spotted this lone American Wigeon.  These ducks are among the

earliest waterfowl to reach their summering grounds.  They

usually lay about 9 eggs and forage on grasses and sedges.

They winter in Central America, the Caribbean, Northern Colombia, Trinidad and 

occasionally Venezuela so they have come a long way to reach the 

ponds and lakes in Alaska. 

There were of course a lot of Mallards around sunning 

themselves on the shore.

In the woods the Pussy Willows were starting to bloom.

They look so tropical with their

brilliant red stamens.  These stamens turn

yellow after about 24 hours.

  

On the forest floor the Caribou Moss is 

starting to find its way out of

its wintry blanket.

Now there are small mini micro climates popping up.  These small micro

climates are hosts to the

first real flowers of spring!

There are Sandhill Cranes foraging for food in snowy fields.

These birds use thermals to obtain lift when they fly, they can stay

aloft for many hours.  They travel from New Mexico.  Their diet is

the most varied among breeding birds.  They feed on berries, small mammals, 

insects, snails, reptiles and amphibians.

Down at the Lagoon the ducks and geese were busy jostling for prime resting and nesting spots.

Many of them will fly on to the Interior and the Arctic Circle, but some

will stay and make their summer homes down at the

Lagoon.

They will have to fly over snow capped mountains in search of 

marshes to raise their young.

It's so exciting to have them back!!!  Without them 

it wouldn't be spring!!

Warm Spring Lakeshore Hike

There is a hint of melting going on along the edges

of Kenai Lake.  We are being blessed with

warm spring air.  It reached 84 degrees on the deck, and

the temperature away from the house was averaging in 

in the high 50's.  It reached 58 degrees at our house and it was 

still 43 degrees at ten pm.  We heard that its suppose to snow on Sunday 

and Monday in Seward!

The rabbits were enjoying the warm air and green grass thats starting to

peek out from under the snow.

I saw my first butterfly!!!!   Totally exciting!!!

There is still however a lot of snow on the ground and on the mountains. 

I'm wondering if it's all going to melt this summer since we had

a record snowfall this year.  

I found some fish bones from last falls salmon along 

the exposed lake shoreline.

I have collected these for years and store them in a container, I think

they are beautiful!

Everywhere there were signs of melting!!

The shoreline docks were resurfacing.

It's amazing how such little things can make a person so happy!

This leaf caught my eye...it's melted its way through the ice

 under the warm sun.

Yay, the melt is underway!!!!

This has been a long awaited spring and

I like everyone else in Alaska is

really appreciating the warm weather.

I had a great walk today and my friend the Stellar Jay checked on

me as I hiked along the lake. 

It was wonderful day!!!

Definitely a day of rebirth after a long winter!

Happy Easter!!!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter day!!

It's a very snowy day here in Alaska,

but the wild rabbits are having fun eating

the green lawn shoots.

A tiny area of green grass has surfaced due to the warmer weather, 

and they are taking advantage of it.

These photos were taken this morning before we had

another big burst of snow come through. 

Their exposed grass areas are now covered again by a good inch or

two of snow.  No wonder they were in such a hurry to fill their stomachs 

with fresh grass this morning.  

When the rabbits were here we also had a 

 cute Gray Jay stop by for a visit.

Again Happy Easter to all of you!!!