The good thing about April deluges: They wash away the pine pollen

Man, the paparazzi around here are getting bold! You can’t even go out to eat without one showing up!

Yesterday late afternoon was quite lovely, with intermittent rays of sunshine and darkening skies. It was too breezy out for a fire, but as I was enjoying the view, I saw the first indigo bunting of the season and went in to retrieve the camera. Of course, I had a long wait afterwards before he returned!

The box elder maple seeds are almost spent and only the little hanging flowers remain. This is my favorite part of their spring cycle–it is like looking at hundreds of little wings clustered on the branches.

And then at last the little blue indigo bunting appeared, flying from tree to tree as of taunting me. I kept reminding myself that patience is necessary in nature–‘ya just cannot rush the time nor experience. I was able to get a couple of focused snaps before the first raindrop hit me, and suddenly they started falling hard, fast, and big splats! I gathered my things and barely made the porch before it was a giant sheet of rain, and the birds were going wild on the ground, showering whilst eating the seed splashing out of the feeders. The small simple things of life, right Beth?