Pussy Willow Day

Spring is Here. The Pussy Willows are out!

What Happened?

It seems the snow was almost gone. The fields were brown. Some grass was starting to go green. Then this! Snow for 3 days!

 The geese were wandering about also questioning reality!

 However, the goofus dogs thought it was great!

 Daphne and Brooklyn really enjoyed an outing in the snow (nasty 4 letter word)!

Anyway. Happy Easter to all of you!

Getting Ready for Gardening

It's tough adjusting from 10 acres and a large garden to a town lot and a small garden, but you gotta do what you gotta do! I decided to go with raised beds as they warm up faster in the spring and are easier to weed

 So far it has taken 4 half ton loads of compost to fill them and I need at least one more load to finish them. There is also half a load of half inch screened rock around the patio stones in the walk ways. I put down gardening mesh to keep tree roots from coming up and to keep the grass from doing the same.

A quick look at one apple tree budding out. We got apples of it last year. Hopefully we will get some this year to.

 The second tree starting to bud out

 Our choke cherry tree is also popping leaves. I tried to get another one, but the nursery is not bringing anymore in due to a black knot blight that is taking it's tole. The Town Transfer Station stopped composing tree branches etc, for the same reason. Too much disease getting spread in the compost.

Wednesday we are anticipating another snow dump, so things could look a little different then. We normally don't plant seeds until mid June, other than nursery bought stuff that can be covered up, or brought in.
Only in Alberta, eh?

It Was A nice Spring Day!

The day started good with a trip to the dog park with Daphne for  a walk and a play with her Kong on a rope. She is an excellent retriever and brings it right back to hand.

I didn't get pictures, but she is also showing promise as a swimmer in the Rotary Park pond.

 The weather was excellent with a high of +25C   (77F) for most of the day. By 10:00 pm this happened! Only in Alberta, eh!

Sunday Updates

Three days ago, spring was well upon us. Some of the local "wildlife" have shown up out testing the ice. The snow was pretty much gone.

 The local dog park had a little bit left, just enough to keep things from being muddy.

 The local ( like in crazy) dog was enjoying the sunshine and chasing her Kong.

 She will retrieve right to hand which is a lot easier  on her owner.

 The heat started to get her down, and she wore out pretty fast.

 Rotary park is identifiable again, although there is no one skating due to thin ice.

 These European Grackles have re-appeared. I haven't seen them for a few months.

 They are quite sociable and don't mind piling on.

Incoming. Make room!

 Over the last few days, we have received 20 cm of snow, which changes the scenery :-{

The Geese Have Come....

It was another fine day, sunny and warm and a great day to take the dogs out for a five km walk.

 The walk just happened to take us by the farmer's field and I just happened to have my camera along.

 The night froze hard and the walking was firm and not muddy. The geese must be getting used to us. They were not disturbed by us at all.

 They kept coming into the field flight after flight.

 The footing was a little slippery for the geese, but they seemed to manage OK.

 These are all greater Canada geese. I haven't seen any of the other types yet.

 We stood and watched them for about half an hour, then the dogs got bored and wanted to move on.

 They are starting to squawk and pair up.

Another fine day! Any better and I would have to be twins to enjoy it!

Spring is Finally Here!

The last 4 days have had temperatures in the mid teens, so the snow is going fast! I have been listening to a bunch of geese honking away in the farmers field. Today, I took the dogs for their 5 km walk and thought maybe I would do a sneak on them.

 I guess they were tired and hungry from their long flight and did not seem too concerned about me and two dogs entering their territory.

 They stayed on high alert, continuing to voice their displeasure.

 There were about  a hundred and fifty spread out on the quarter section. I will have to go and sit on the Athabasca River and try for some in flight shots.

This is what we did when we returned home!

Waiting for Paint to Dry

Eventually, there comes a time when you have to sit back and wait for the paint to dry. Repainting the kitchen cupboards while Elaine is away is probably a good way to gain some Brownie points! Brooklyn has to be right in the middle of things!

 The weather has improved enough that I grabbed the camera and wandered over to the Athabasca River to see what is happening. Mr crow kept a close eye on me.

 The river is pretty much ice free and starting to rise.

 The geese are back and staking out turf. Noisy little devils!

 This is not a good place to make a nest since it will be under water in a few weeks. Probably just sun bathing!

 This guy spotted her pretty quick. "Hey Babe,'Sup?"

Alas, some days the paint dries too fast! Back to it.