Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day Mom. This photos from the 40s when my Dad and her were just starting out. Today shes 81 and going strong. Worked full time until she was diagnosed with a form of leukemia last December. Shes gone through some chemotherapy and is responding, well, enough so to travel out to see us at the end of the month for my oldest daughters wedding. We cant wait to see her. I always considered myself lucky to have her as my Mom.
This is a photo of my daughters and my wife deep in thought at an oasis in western Kansas where we would go to get away from it all when we lived there in the early 90s. My girls are lucky to have had her for their mom as well, Happy Mothers Day!

Cloudy Morning

Cloudy sunrise

Small Mantis on the pine is a good sign.

Oak Leaves

Snowball bush in bloom.

Just some random photos from a short walk this morning.

Skywatch Friday

Lately we have had so much rain and gray skies. At dusk tonight I found myself looking out the window at blue sky and the possibility of just a few minutes of sun. Grabbing my camera and heading out the back door I sloshed around for a while in the pasture, aiming my camera at the sky. All the while listening to an owl, two meadowlarks and a few other spring visitors.



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Camera Critters

Canada Goose

Wild Turkey

Turtles enjoying a mild spring day.

Some photos taken from a hike recently near Springfield Missouri.
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First web of the spring

These webs have begun appearing again in the pasture as it greens up. Each morning except for the few days we had temperatures below freezing.

Wildflower Hike

Last week my wife and I spent a few hours hiking in the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. It " is a little piece of the Ozarks within the city limits of Springfield. It's a place to enjoy nature's gifts, and to learn about the importance of taking care of them
There were many wildflowers peeking out at the overcast spring sky. Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is one of my favorite. It pushes it way up through the oak leaf litter.
Several miles of trails lead down and around the hills were the early flowers take advantage of the spring sunlight before the trees leaf out.
Wake Robin (Sessile trillium) appeared in areas where there seemed to be less leaf cover on slopes. I love the name of this flower, Wake Robin, how can you beat that for a spring name!
Wake Robin about to bloom.
I believe this is Rue Anemone (Anemorella thalictroides)
Blue Violets (Viola papilionarea)

If you are in the Springfield area this is a wonderful place to visit, check out the website at
Springfield Conservation Nature Center.

Skywatch Friday

Peach blossoms against the early morning sky.
A foggy morning.
Sounds of geese beyond the fog,

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